Dannon Helps Lead the Way in Ending Cow Mutilations

After Talks With PETA, Yogurt Giant Moves to Stop Painful Dehorning of Calves

For Immediate Release:
April 29, 2015

Contact:
Shakira Croce 202-483-7382

After learning from PETA that calves and cows on dairy farms have their horns gouged out with sharp metal scoops or their horn tissue burned out of their heads, Dannon has come out in support of polled, or naturally hornless, cattle—an important move that paves the way for the elimination of this cruel process in the yogurt company’s supply chain. In its newly updated position statement, Dannon writes, “Dannon believes the use of genetic breeding programs to promote naturally hornless cattle—or ‘polled’ cattle—will benefit the welfare of cows and the farmers who care for them by eliminating the need for dehorning.”

“While PETA encourages everyone to choose vegan milks and cheeses, we recognize the importance of reducing animal suffering wherever it occurs,” says PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman. “By speaking out in favor of naturally hornless cattle, Dannon will spare calves the immense pain of having their horn tissue burned out of their heads.”

Other household names that have recently addressed dehorning include General Mills (with brands such as Dannon competitor Yoplait as well as Häagen-Dazs, Old El Paso, Nature Valley, Cheerios, Green Giant, Pillsbury, Betty Crocker, and others marketed in more than 100 countries across six continents), Denny’s, Starbucks, Nestlé, and Dunkin’ Brands (which owns Dunkin’ Donuts and Baskin-Robbins). Since PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to abuse in any way”—began working with companies on this issue three years ago, the number of polled Holstein bulls in the U.S. has increased eightfold.

As revealed in Casey Affleck’s video exposé, cows struggle desperately and cry out in pain during dehorning, which is routinely performed without giving them any painkillers.

For more information, please visit PETA.org.