Colorado pig farm workers fired after video shows abuse

An undercover video showing workers at a Colorado pig farm hitting animals with cans and boards has led to a criminal investigation and the firing of seven employees.

The video, posted online Wednesday by Los Angeles-based group Mercy for Animals, was filmed by one of its members at a Seaboard Foods farm. The group gave it to the Phillips County Sheriff’s Office, which launched an investigation and notified the company.

CLICK HERE to view the video. WARNING: Some viewers may find it upsetting.

Seaboard Foods supplies pork to Walmart and other retailers. It says the handling of the pigs, which happened while they were being loaded onto trucks, is “unacceptable and inexcusable” and violates its standards. It fired five workers and two supervisors.

Walmart says it doesn’t tolerate mistreatment of animals and requires its suppliers to adhere to industry and government standards.