Police Checking Whether Indiana Dairy Farm Abuse Was Coerced

FAIR OAKS, Ind. (AP) — A prosecutor says investigators are looking into whether an animal rights group worker coerced employees at a large northwestern Indiana dairy farm into the abuse of young calves that was captured on undercover video.

Newton County Prosecutor Jeff Drinski says a witness has corroborated allegations from an abuse suspect that the Animal Recovery Mission employee encouraged the abuse at Fair Oaks Farms. Drinski says detectives will try to interview the group's employee.

Animal Recovery Mission founder Richard Couto called the allegation "ridiculous and absurd." He says none of the group's video shows any encouragement of abuse.

The farm that's a popular agritourism destination has faced public backlash over videos released by the group. It's also been the flagship farm for Fairlife milk, which has been dropped by several grocery chains.