A cow showed up at Sixth and Main streets in downtown Rapid City, decrying the reported cruel treatment of some dairy animals. The cow was greeted by South Dakota farmers and ranchers, who defended their livelihood.

Two representatives from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals staged a protest Wednesday to educate people on the mistreatment of animals used to produce milk and milk-based products.  

“PETA recently went undercover into a Land O’ Lakes dairy supplier where we found the daily abuse and neglect of dairy cows and their calves,” said PETA campaigner Virginia Fort of Virginia. “We’re asking people to dump cruel dairy products from their diets.”

Fort wore a video screen that streamed footage from PETA’s investigation of the dairy supplier.

“You can see cows who are covered in their own feces, in their own urine, while they’re hooked up to milking machines,” Fort said.

To further illustrate their point, fellow PETA member Laura Ludwig, dressed as a cow, dumped a mixture of water and corn starch from jugs marked “MILK” into a trash can at the downtown corner.

The protest was countered by about a dozen West River ranchers and farmers.

Troy Hadrick, owner of a ranch west of Sturgis, wanted area residents to realize that ranchers and farmers care about their livestock.

“Livestock that are happy and healthy and comfortable are the ones that produce the best, and that’s what we are always trying to do in our business,” Hadrick said.

The unpredictability of livestock can lead to problems, but Hadrick said farmers and ranchers are always trying to do the best they can.

“We hope that if (PETA) ever come across any type of mistreatment we hope that they are working with the producers to point that out and fix it, not using it for something to further their agenda.”

Johnny Kerstiens, the legislative director for the South Dakota Farmers Union, had a similar message.

“Protection of the cattle has to be the No. 1 goal,” Kerstiens said.

Contact Holly Meyer at 394-8421 or holly.meyer@rapidcityjournal.com