OAN Staff James Myers
2:53 PM – Monday, December 30, 2024
The former shametoday' host Matt Lauer has been accused by animal rights activists of abusing animals at his remote sheep farm in New Zealand.
advertisement
Lauer bought 16,000 acres (25 square miles) of land in New Zealand in 2017 for just over $9 million, just months before he was fired from his morning show after multiple women accused him of rape and sexual harassment. Ta.
At present Mr. Lauer leases out a large portion of his land to domestic shepherds, and contributes greatly to the wool trade. However, Lauer is not involved in the operation of the farm, which is called Hunter Valley Farming.
An undercover investigation by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals in the Asia-Pacific wool industry shows sheep at Hunter Valley Farming suffer abuse that requires stitches during the shearing process, according to video footage shared by animal rights groups. It seems that he was receiving. .
PETA president Ingrid Newkirk said: “Matt Lauer's escape in New Zealand is hell for a frightened sheep being thrown around, pinned down and chopped up.” new york post.
“PETA wants Mr. Lauer to clean up his bloody wool business.”
Lauer, on the other hand, has never been indicted and denies all charges that led to his dismissal. NBCreportedly sold his $44 million home in the Hamptons in 2022 to spend more time at his New Zealand mansion.
A spokesperson for Mr. Lauer said that Mr. Lauer had “no knowledge of the alleged problems on his property” until the incident. new york post I asked for comment.
“(Mr. Lauer) was extremely upset and saddened to hear of what allegedly happened and immediately launched his own investigation into Tennant's management, which is currently underway,” the representative said. new york postadding that PETA never contacted him about the complaint.
“Once all the facts are known, he will take appropriate action immediately.”
New Zealand is known for having more sheep than people and is the third largest wool producer in the world. It produces so-called ZQ-certified wool and is also touted as “the world's leading ethical wool brand.”
PETA also acknowledged that it had not contacted Lauer about the alleged abuses at the farm.
“When we notify companies and individuals involved in an investigation, their typical response is to deny, deflect, and downplay the atrocities uncovered,” a PETA spokesperson said. new york post.
“Publicizing an undercover investigation before notifying officials like Mr. Lauer makes it impossible to hold them accountable and ignore the atrocities they have the power to stop.”
Owners of Hunter Valley Farming Digby Cochrane and his wife, Hannah, also said Lauer contacted them last week to discuss PETA's allegations.
“When shearing sheep, we employ independent shearing contractors to shear the sheep and they work in accordance with New Zealand industry accepted guidelines and practices.” the Cochrans said in a statement. new york post.
Additionally, Hunter Valley was among 11 farms where PETA investigators had collected video footage and made notes included in a 48-page notarized affidavit over the past year.
Jackie Sadashige, PETA's corporate responsibility manager, said: “The horrific abuses recorded in the Hunter Valley are typical of the entire wool business.” post.
Other charges include allegedly fighting with a handler during sheep shearing and causing the sheep's wool to be cut. Further suspicious incidents include sheep being lifted and dropped onto a hard floor and forced to shoot leading to pens.
Stay informed. Receive breaking news directly to your inbox for free. Subscribe here. https://www.oann.com/alerts
Advertisement below
Please share this post!
