Wegmans Cruelty: An Unofficial Blog

This is an unofficial blog and informational archive related to the WEGMANSCRUELTY film and resulting campaign.

Please see that page for more information.

Wednesday, May 03, 2006

Trial continues today in Wegmans egg farm case

Misty Edgecomb
Staff writer
Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

(May 3, 2006) — The trespassing and burglary trial of Adam Durand, an animal rights activist who broke into a Wegmans' egg farm in Wolcott, Wayne County, will continue today at the Wayne County courthouse in Lyons.

If found guilty of all counts for which he was indicted, including fourth degree criminal mischief, third-degree burglary, third-degree criminal trespass and petty larceny, Durand could face several years in prison.

The trial started yesterday afternoon.

Durand, a member of the Rochester-area animal advocacy group Compassionate Consumers, was one of three activists involved in the 2004 break-in. Felony charges against the other activists, Melanie Ippolito and Megan Cosgrove, have already been dismissed.

The activists say they saw injured hens covered in feces and living in small cages, and videotaped the incident for a film called "Wegmans Cruelty," which has been shown in Rochester and elsewhere.

Representatives from Wegmans Food Markets say the company follows standard industry practices for animal care and has joined a voluntary effort to regulate cage size and standards for food, water and transportation.

The activists also took nine ailing hens with them when they left the farm, calling it a rescue.

Taking the hens, several of which later died, constituted a felony burglary, law enforcement officials have said.

Durand and the egg farm manager are expected to testify today.

0 Comments:

Post a Comment

<< Home