Finnish animal rights group releases fresh video material taken at fur farm
After seeing the pictures, a veterinarian says that injured production animals will have to be put down
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The injuries discovered in animals at a fur farm in Karstula in Central Finland have been left untreated for several months, claims the animal welfare group Oikeutta eläimille (“Justice for Animals”).
On Thursday, the news broadcast of commercial TV channel Nelonen showed fresh video material taken by the organisation at Finnish fur farms over the current autumn.
The same group took pictures of the same injured animals at the same farms three times: in August, September, and October.
Laura Hänninen, clinical instructor in animal welfare and protection at the University of Helsinki, viewed the pictures and the related material at the request of Helsingin Sanomat.
On the basis of the growth of fur, Hänninen estimated that the injured animals in the pictures looked the same in each case.
The video and the pictures show two foxes missing one of their hind legs. One animal has three injured legs. Some animals also have eye infections, bloody stumps for tails, and bloody gums.
Moreover, one fox has a tuft of hair growing in its eye.
According to Hänninen, animals with only three legs or chewed-off tails could survive as domestic pets.
However, when it comes to production animals, their state has to be evaluated differently from an ethical and animal protection perspective.
The injured animals have to be put down.
Anne Nieminen, the communication officer of the Oikeutta eläimille group, says that the animals and injuries in the pictures are no isolated cases.
In February, the animal welfare group released graphic video material showing animals’ conditions taken at 30 farms in the country.
The group is calling for the cessation of all fur farming in Finland.
Helsingin Sanomat could not contact the owner of the fur farm in Karstula by phone on Thursday.
The commercial TV channel Nelonen is owned by the Sanoma Group, which also owns Helsingin Sanomat.
On Thursday, the news broadcast of commercial TV channel Nelonen showed fresh video material taken by the organisation at Finnish fur farms over the current autumn.
The same group took pictures of the same injured animals at the same farms three times: in August, September, and October.
Laura Hänninen, clinical instructor in animal welfare and protection at the University of Helsinki, viewed the pictures and the related material at the request of Helsingin Sanomat.
On the basis of the growth of fur, Hänninen estimated that the injured animals in the pictures looked the same in each case.
The video and the pictures show two foxes missing one of their hind legs. One animal has three injured legs. Some animals also have eye infections, bloody stumps for tails, and bloody gums.
Moreover, one fox has a tuft of hair growing in its eye.
According to Hänninen, animals with only three legs or chewed-off tails could survive as domestic pets.
However, when it comes to production animals, their state has to be evaluated differently from an ethical and animal protection perspective.
The injured animals have to be put down.
Anne Nieminen, the communication officer of the Oikeutta eläimille group, says that the animals and injuries in the pictures are no isolated cases.
In February, the animal welfare group released graphic video material showing animals’ conditions taken at 30 farms in the country.
The group is calling for the cessation of all fur farming in Finland.
Helsingin Sanomat could not contact the owner of the fur farm in Karstula by phone on Thursday.
The commercial TV channel Nelonen is owned by the Sanoma Group, which also owns Helsingin Sanomat.
Helsingin Sanomat