Media Release: Auckland Animal Action
Sunday 26th November 2006
Animal Rights Activists liberate 35 battery hens from Henderson Valley 'hell hole'

Animal Rights Activists broke into a Henderson Valley factory farm in the early hours of Sunday the 19th of November. The activists liberated 35 battery hens from what they call a 'hell hole'.

The activists anonymously contacted local Animal Rights group Auckland Animal Action with the following communique:

Early on Sunday morning, the 19th of November, animal rights activists broke into a battery hen farm in West Auckland removing 35 chickens. Activists gained entry into Eggs R Us on Henderson Valley Road, by cutting a large hole in one side of a shed.

The shed contained row after row of caged hens. Dozens of rats could be seen running between cages. Many of the birds were in a poor condition, having missing feathers and red inflamed skin from rubbing on the bars; all the birds were de-beaked.

The conditions on this farm were unfortunately standard for this cruel industry; filthy, overcrowded and inhumane.

Nobody genuinely concerned about animal welfare could find these conditions acceptable.

While we would of liked to have taken colour photos and footage this was impossible as using lights or flashes would of attracted attention to us being in the sheds. Infra red equipment was all that we could safely use. Our main objective was to remove as many hens from this hell hole that we could.

While the 'Animal Welfare' Act continues to allow and endorse such cruel conditions, activists will gain entry to farms by any means necessary to liberate hens from a life of suffering.

Auckland Animal Action spokesperson Jasmine Gray says "The public of Aotearoa agree that battery hen farming is cruel and have called for a ban. However the Minister of Agriculture, the Honerable Jim Anderton continues to ignore public opinion choosing instead to side with the egg industry. In failing to listen to the public the Government has really left people no choice but to break the law".

This liberation comes just two weeks after activists rescued 20 battery hens from a Foxton factory farm.

Footage of raid can be viewed at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-l9iRXcyEgQ

Photos can be viewed at: www.aucklandanimalaction.org.nz

ENDS

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