CHILLIWACK (NEWS 1130) – Animal cruelty charges have been laid against one of Canada’s largest dairy farms and seven of its employees.

The charges come about a year and a half after shocking video from inside Chilliwack Cattle Sales LTD came to light.

The video from May 2014 shows graphic animal abuse including the disturbing death of a cow which died after being lifted by a chain then kicked and hit.

In addition to the seven employees charged, the BC SPCA’s Marcie Moriarty says the company and its directors are charged with causing or permitting animals to be in distress.

“As far as we know, it is the first time that this has happened in association with a farming case and, in fact, I don’t think across Canada it has happened very frequently.”

There are also four charges under the Wildlife Act linked to the treatment of a pigeon.

Maximum sentences include fines, a lifetime ban on owning and up to two years in jail.

“For each of those counts against the individual employees, comes an accompanying charge against the company and its directors.”

#breakingnews Animal cruelty charges laid in dairy cattle abuse case. Full story: https://t.co/n1bxJLSzLT — BC SPCA / BCSPCA (@BC_SPCA) March 2, 2016

Moriarty joined us live to talk about the case. Here is the full interview.