Summary:
Plaintiff Legal Impact for Chickens (LIC) is a non-profit charitable organization dedicated to preventing cruelty to animals. Defendant is a poultry integrator that raises, hatches, and slaughters broiler chickens. Plaintiff sued Defendant under N.C.G.S.A.§ 19A-1 et seq., the North Carolina Civil Remedy for the Protection of Animals, alleging Defendant engages in “intentional, affirmative, and reckless acts of neglect and extreme violence” with respect to the animals under its care and control. These actions contradict the National Chicken Council (NCC) guidelines and Defendant is a member of the NCC. An undercover investigation revealed the extent of the cruel acts against the chickens perpetrated by Case Farms through its agents, Morganton Hatchery. As a result of these cruel acts suffered by the chicks in the production process, Plaintiff seeks a permanent injunction to prevent further cruelty and irreparable harm to the chicks born at Defendant’s facilities.