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Idaho

Mexican veterinarians sue Idaho dairy for human trafficking

Associated Press
Published | Updated
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    This 2015 provided by Brenda E Gastelum Sierra shows César Nerón Martínez Rodríguez in a pen for newborn calves at the Funk Dairy in Murtaugh, Idaho. He is one of six veterinarians who say they were recruited from Mexico to work at the Idaho dairy farm as animal scientists, but were instead forced to work as laborers, milking cows and shoveling manure for about a year. On Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2017, they filed a federal human trafficking lawsuit against the dairy's owners and the lawyer who arranged work visas. (Brenda E Gastelum Sierra via AP) (The Associated Press)

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    This 2015 self-portrait by César Nerón Martínez Rodríguez shows him at work at the Funk Dairy in Murtaugh, Idaho. He is one of six veterinarians who say they were recruited from Mexico to work at the Idaho dairy farm as animal scientists, but were instead forced to work as laborers, milking cows and shoveling manure for about a year. On Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2017, they filed a federal human trafficking lawsuit against the dairy's owners and the lawyer who arranged work visas. (César Nerón Martínez Rodríguez via AP) (The Associated Press)

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    Image 3 of 3

    This 2015 self-portrait by César Nerón Martínez Rodríguez shows him at work at the Funk Dairy in Murtaugh, Idaho. He is one of six veterinarians who say they were recruited from Mexico to work at the Idaho dairy farm as animal scientists, but were instead forced to work as laborers, milking cows and shoveling manure for about a year. On Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2017, they filed a federal human trafficking lawsuit against the dairy's owners and the lawyer who arranged work visas. (César Nerón Martínez Rodríguez via AP) (The Associated Press)

BOISE, Idaho – Six Mexican veterinarians who say they were recruited to work as animal scientists at an Idaho dairy farm have filed a federal human trafficking lawsuit against the dairy's owners and the lawyer who arranged work visas.

The lawsuit filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Boise claims the veterinarians were forced to work as general laborers for about a year.

It says the veterinarians were promised they would oversee animal health and reproduction programs at Funk Dairy Inc. in Murtaugh, Idaho.

They came to the U.S. on visas granted to professionals from Mexico and Canada.

The defendants are Funk owner David Funk, manager Curtis Giles and attorney Jeremy Pittard.

Pittard says he helped arranged the visas but declined comment on the working conditions.

The dairy's phone went unanswered.