B.C. chicken-catching company denies neglect, cruelty accusations

VANCOUVER — The head of a British Columbia chicken-catching company under investigation for alleged animal neglect and cruelty says his employees have not done anything wrong.

Elite Services president Dwayne Dueck says in a statement that the company, which loads birds onto crates for processing, follows all animal welfare guidelines according to industry standards.

Dueck says the company is fully co-operating in the investigation.

Marcie Moriarty of the BC SPCA has said investigators are examining claims of animal cruelty involving Elite Services and a farm in Abbotsford following the release of video footage allegedly showing hens stuck in mounds of feces and packed into wire cages with dead birds.

The SPCA previously recommended charges be laid against Elite Services after video emerged last year allegedly showing workers throwing, hitting and dismembering chickens.

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The company responded to that video by saying six staff members had been fired and some remaining employees would be required to wear body cameras while on duty.

The Canadian Press