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Three Workers Charged In Animal Abuse At Fair Oaks Farms

By Samantha Horton, IPB News | Published on in Agriculture, Business, Statewide News
(Fair Oaks Farms/Facebook)
(Fair Oaks Farms/Facebook)

Three former employees of Indiana’s Fair Oaks Farms are now facing criminal charges connected to undercover videos shot at the dairy that shows animal cruelty.

Last week, Animal Recovery Mission (ARM) released a video captured by an investigator with the activist organization. It showed calves being physically harmed. The group also says the video shows illegal drugs being grown and used on the farm.

The Newton County Sheriff’s office says the three men charged are 31-year-old Santiago Ruvalcaba Contreros, 36-year-old Edgar Gardozo Vazquez and 38-year-old Miguel Angel Navarro Serrano.

The sheriff’s office also says the investigation is ongoing.

In response to the ARM video, Fair Oaks Farms co-founder Mike McCloskey released his own video message… saying he’s taking steps to prevent future abuse by installing cameras in spaces where employees and animals interact. He’s also hiring an animal welfare specialist to help supervise the operation.

Fair Oaks Farms co-founder Mike McCloskey responded to the ARM video saying he’s taking steps to prevent future abuse by installing cameras in spaces where employees and animals interact, and hiring an animal welfare specialist to help supervise the operation.