The alleged dairy cow abuser has been arrested and charged with multiple counts of animal cruelty, but the emotional storm stirred up yesterday after a video depicting animal abuse on an Ohio dairy released by activist organization Mercy For Animals (MFA) is far from over.

Notice use of the word “alleged.” No one has been found guilty of anything yet. However, the owner of the dairy farm (not the star of the video who was arrested) has been receiving death threats and has not even received the benefit of the doubt from many ag industry commentators.

The video is disturbing on many levels. Many people are unable to watch it even once, let alone more than once. Which is why I question how anyone who cares deeply about “mercy for animals” could have endured recording that for four weeks. If it were me, it would have only taken one incident to immediately contact the local authorities. The people shown in the video punching, kicking, stabbing, and viciously attacking these defenseless animals are clearly sick human beings who should be held liable for their individual actions.

What is also disturbing is that most of the videotaped abuse appears to be for the enjoyment of the abuser, which is just sick and demented. The worker who was arrested talks about how much he enjoys abusing the animals. This is not normal behavior for decent human beings, who make up the vast majority of dairy farmers (and hopefully humanity in general!). As Ohio Farm Bureau Federation spokesman Joe Cornely pointed out during an interview yesterday with Buckeye Ag Radio Network, using this video to tar an entire industry is basically like using a situation where someone abuses a pet to draw the conclusion that “all pet owners abuse their pets.” Since MFA tags this horrible video “ditch cruelty – ditch dairy,” should we ditch pets as well so no animal will ever be abused again?

It is also important to note that even the experts that MFA quotes on it’s own website indicate that this is extremely unusual. “The video depicts calculated, deliberate cruelty, based not on momentary rage but on taking pleasure through causing pain to cows and calves who are defenseless. In my opinion, the individuals shown are twisted and dangerous,” said Colorado State University animal science professor Bernard Rollin. Veterinarian Dr. Geoff Ball points out, “This footage should be seen as a red flag for child, spousal and other forms of violence.”

Unfortunately, it seems this video has gotten more attention on the national level than previous ones like it because it really struck an emotional chord. However, IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH DAIRY FARMING IN GENERAL, and everything to do with at least one very bad person. I sincerely hope that the owner of Conklin Dairy was not aware of or involved in the abuse in any way. The one portion of the video allegedly showing Gary Conklin kicking a cow is fuzzy, shadowy, and looks markedly different than the rest of the video. Conklin fired the one worker who was prominent in the video and called the authorities who had him arrested. “The video shows animal care that is clearly inconsistent with the high standards we set for our farm and its workers, and we find the specific mistreatment shown on the video to be reprehensible and unacceptable,” Conklin said. The investigation is ongoing.

The worker who was arrested had his bond set at $100,000 today and he faces 12 counts of cruelty to animals, each carrying a a maximum penalty of 90 days in jail and a $750 fine. That alone could add up to almost three years in jail and $9000. But the animal rights people don’t think that’s sufficient. Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) CEO Wayne Pacelle, who was conveniently in Ohio yesterday, commented that the incident shows it’s “time for the Legislature to upgrade these statutes so judges and prosecutors have the tools to handle people who engage in malicious cruelty, including to farm animals.”

Ugly situations stir ugly emotions, but hopefully reason will prevail and people will be reminded that there are sadly plenty of real sickos in the world. Some of them might work at a dairy farm – or they just might be abusing the dog, or even the child, next door. Unfortunately, we can’t beat them with metal pipes or stab them with pitchforks, so the legal system will have to suffice.