GREENBRIER and MONROE counties, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- Disturbing video of how turkeys are treated in some West Virginia factory farms has surfaced.
Shot by an undercover investigator from the animal rights group PETA, the video is of the Aviagen Turkeys breeding factories in Monroe and Greenbrier counties.
PETA members said they want the workers shown in the video off the job and charged with animal cruelty. They're also asking the public to pass on turkey this holiday season in protest.
While PETA always has advocated a vegetarian diet, its members believe the video will make any meat-eater think twice about serving turkey this holiday season.
Be forewarned: the video link above includes scenes that may be disturbing to some viewers. Among the images are of a worker repeatedly stomping a turkey and another twisting a bird's neck.
PETA claims claims the undercover video was shot at Aviagen Turkeys factories in Greenbrier and Monroe counties between September and November of this year.
"We certainly advise people this Thanksgiving, if you want to make a difference and are disturbed by what this video shows, to keep birds off their plate this season," said Daphna Nachminovitch of PETA.
As alarming as the video may be, PETA members said this type of treatment of animals happens all over the country. PETA began investigating the Aviagen company after receiving tips about what was going on in its West Virginia factories. Subsequently, the group sent an undercover investigator to work at those factories.
PETA members said the company is now aware of the video. The company released a statement Wednesday and said the acts are still under investigation, and the employees involved could lose their jobs.
The supervisor whose voice is heard on the video tape has been suspended until the investigation is completed. The Greenbrier County Sheriff's Department said no charges have been filed in this case. It is under investigation in Monroe County where the sheriff was out of the office Wednesday.