In Australia approximately 700 000 calves are sent to slaughter each year because they are not wanted by the dairy industry. Within 12 hrs of being born they are taken from their mums, then at age 4+ days old these newborns are trucked to slaughter. Bobby calves are newborn calves that are less than 2 weeks old and not with their mothers.
Products from processed newborn calves include young veal for human consumption, valuable hides for leather and byproducts for the pharmaceutical industry.
When transported from farms to saleyards and abattoirs, bobby calves are often treated terribly. Many newborn calves struggle to walk by themselves, which can frustrate handlers who have very little compassion for these animals. Calves are often pulled, dragged and thrown about during the farm to slaughter process.
