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Page 4,0WhItby Fre Prees, Wodnesday. May 10, 1M9 'IGLOOS' on farm at Highway 7 and Ashburn Road. Photo by Mark Reesor, Whitby Fre Press Charge of 'igloo' cruelty to cattie den ied. by farrn reps By John Dujay A Whitby resident's criticism of a common practice of dairy farmers as cruel has been refuted by agricultural représentatives. "It is on. thing to kill cattle for food, it is quit. another to torture them for months pirto killing them," Brigitte Holmes states in a letter about calf hutches at a farm at the corner of H-ighway 7 and Ashburn Road. 83te states in the letter: "These calves wiIl remain in these plastic 'Igloos' for several months, throughout the sweltering heat of t he summer." But Joel Bagg, at the Port Perry office of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, dismissed the statemqnt, saying "It's equivalent to putting a baby in a crib." Ho says the practice was begun about 15 years ao and has been recommendedbyl vet- erinarians to reduce mortality and increase the health of young cows. "That's considered an industry normn," he says. Brenda Metcalf of the Durhamn Region Agri-Food Awareness Team (DRAFAT) also refutes Holmes' statements. "The. structure of the hutches, p lacement out of the wind, extra bedding and milk, ail make this an excellent way to rais. young animals for a short period of time." DRAFAT is a committee ope rating under the umbrella of teDurhm Region Federation of Agriculture. Bagg says the calves are flot kept in* the shelters during hot periods. The. shelters are moved to a shady spot or the calves are put into barns. As well, they are usual1l kept- in the hutches unilt are three months old. In the Litter, Holmes says the hutches are us.d to_.produce high uality veal. However, Metcalf says3, "Tih. msjority of calves raised in hutches are not intended for veal, but will become replacement cows in the milking herd." Tools stolen at work site Tools and equipment valued at more than $4,000 was stolen overnight Thursday from the Whitby fire department's new Taunton Road headquarters, now under construction. Police say the culprit(s) forced the door trames on, two pad- locked site offices and removed the items. An investigation je continuing. $235mth GOLF "WORLD'S BEST SELLING CAR" $0. DOWN Power locks, inted glass, dual mirrors, advanced safety system, and much more. 48 month walkaway. 0% downpayment. Freight, PDI.& taxes extra. O.A.C. Exp. moont OWASCO () oýentoMeygý[si,Çiëe1972. An *1 CARE'and CAA award winner. 1425 Dundas St. East, Whitby 686-6410 - EayU Ecoes* o se n