LEWISBURG, W. Va. – Poultry grower Aviagen Inc. said Wednesday that it will investigate a video that appears to show abuse of turkeys at the company’s West Virginia farms.

The video was released by the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and reportedly shows workers stomping on turkeys heads and twisting their necks. The video was made by an undercover investigator who worked on the farms for two months.

"We condemn any abuse of the animals in our care and will take swift action to address these issues," Aviagen said in a statement released to the media. The company said it was investigating the actions and workers shown in the video. The supervisor involved has already been suspended pending the outcome.

PETA filed a criminal complaint on Tuesday alleging animal cruelty, according to the Greenbrier County, W. Va. Sheriff's Department.

Sherrie Rosenblatt of the National Turkey Federation (NTF) questioned PETA’s release of the video a week before Thanksgiving and said that the turkey industry takes pride in the health and care of its flock. She also said the industry has had animal welfare guidelines since 1980 and called the actions in the video “isolated.”

Source: Associated Press