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ROCKINGHAM, N.C. (AP) — A North Carolina farm worker accused of killing four chickens by grinding his heel on their heads and throwing one against a wall has pleaded guilty.
The Daily Journal of Richmond County reports (http://bit.ly/1VG5FqD) that court documents show 22-year-old Danny Cajija Miranda pleaded guilty Monday to three counts of misdemeanor cruelty to animals.
A judge sentenced Miranda to 45 days in jail, with credit for 27 days already served.
Officials say Miranda killed two chickens by grinding his heel on their heads and whipping one around by its neck. A third chicken was hit it in the head with a hammer and a fourth died after being thrown against a wall.
Miranda worked for a contract grower for Maryland-based Perdue Farms.
Richmond County sheriff's deputies were made aware of the abuse by Los Angeles-based Mercy for Animals, which sent an undercover operative to work at the farms and record evidence of any mistreatment.
Video provided by Los Angeles-based Mercy for Animals shows several chickens being stomped and one being flung against the wall inside a chicken house, as well as other chickens in poor health. The organization says it has conducted more than four dozen investigations across the U.S. and Canada, including four in North Carolina.
A new law, dubbed the "ag-gag" bill, went into effect last Friday and penalizes such investigations.
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Information from: Richmond County Daily Journal, http://yourdailyjournal.com
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