Video Captures Alleged Animal Abuse At Armstrong Co. Barn

Workers at a barn in Armstrong County are being investigated after authorities received a tip accusing the workers of abusing and mistreating cows there.

Humane Society agents said they have undercover cell phone video to prove the alleged abuse at the Belknap Barn in Dayton.

Some of the footage obtained is a little hard to make out, but you can clearly hear the sounds of cows being beaten, Channel 11 News reporter Lori Houy said.

Humane officer Penny Deworl took the cell phone video, which shows workers allegedly abusing and flogging animals.

Humane officers began investigating the auction site after they received reports of animals being sold with welts and bruises on them.

Deworl said the workers even used electric prods to zap young calves into submission.

“When someone hits an animal like that, it's cruel,” said Deworl. “Especially when an animal is going where it's supposed to be."

“We try to handle all animals as humanely as possible,” the owner of Belknap, Tom Huff, told Channel 11 News. ”If one of our employees is abusing animals, it will be handled properly."

Because of the video taken by Deworl, the USDA has launched its own investigation. At least four people, including the owner, face charges of animal cruelty.

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