Maple Lodge guilty after hens freeze to death

Oct. 3, 2013 – Maple Lodge Farms, an independent poultry company that sells a variety of meats, has been found guilty of two counts of violating federal health regulations after over 1,500 hens froze to death.

According to The Toronto Star, the judge cited that the birds experienced “undue suffering” in severe winter weather on way to the Brampton processing plant. The verdict is just part of a larger case against the company, which includes 58 criminal charges.

“The driver … was instructed to load the birds, and notwithstanding the weather [between -9 and -16 C], he did so, regardless of the condition of the hens,” the judge said.

For more information, please visit The Toronto Star.