Group levels abuse allegations against NM dairy

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Undercover video showing workers at a southern New Mexico dairy whipping cows with chains and wire cables and kicking and punching the animals has led to a state investigation into possible animal cruelty violations.

The New Mexico Livestock Board confirms it has launched an investigation into the practices at the Winchester Dairy near Dexter.

The group Mercy for Animals presented the video footage to the livestock agency last Thursday. It planned to publicly release a compilation of clips that show the abuse during a news conference Wednesday in Albuquerque.

In a statement, the dairy said animal care and well-being are central to its operations. As a result, the dairy fired all employees and referred the abusive workers to law enforcement for further review. Milking operations and shipments to vendors have been halted.