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Police in Florida arrested three dairy farm employees on animal cruelty charges following the release of an undercover video by animal rights group showing workers abusing cows.
Okeechobee County Sheriff Noel Stephen said three McArthur Dairy workers - Mario Hernandez, 31, an assistant supervisor, Fernando Lopez, 45, a caretaker, and Naul Dorantes-Garcia, 36 - were arrested.
Hernandez was arrested on a third-degree felony charge of animal cruelty. Authorities said he struck a cow in the face with a sharpened PVC pipe.
Lopez and Dorantes-Garcia both face first-degree misdemeanor charges of cruelty to animals. A warrant has been issued for a fourth worker.
The video by Animal Recovery Mission showed workers striking cows in the face and udders with plastic pipes, Stephen said.
Three other dairies also are being investigated, he said.