Dear Loblaws,

I just watched hidden-camera video of animals being tortured to death at multiple Lilydale chicken supplier farms. The sickening video shows horrific abuses:

• Workers hitting, kicking, and throwing birds and smashing them into walls and transport crates
• Birds crushed by transport machinery and having their legs ripped off by careless workers
• Management standing by while workers torment animals with crude sex acts and rough handling
• Severely sick and injured birds bred to grow too large to walk without pain left to languish and die

I’m sure you’ll agree with me that this abuse is absolutely unacceptable!

As one of the biggest grocers in Canada and a major Lilydale chicken buyer, Loblaws has the power and responsibility to ensure chickens sold in your stores were not tortured.

I am writing to ask that Loblaws move quickly to prevent the worst forms of animal abuse in its supply chain by adopting meaningful animal welfare policies, including the following:

• Zero tolerance for animal abuse to deter egregious acts of violence against animals
• Improved genetic selection and monitoring systems to prevent lameness and other related
  health issues in birds at supplier farms
• Requiring farms to provide birds with access to clean litter, improved lighting and air quality, environmental enrichments, and enough space to engage in natural behaviors
• Demanding poultry suppliers end live-shackle slaughter in favor of less cruel systems that eliminate the horrific suffering caused by dumping, shackling, shocking, and slitting the throats of conscious animals

These are commonsense changes that would greatly alleviate needless suffering for millions of animals.

Thank you.