MLive: Humane Society pressures Ann Arbor-based Domino's Pizza over pig gestation crates

Gestation crates confine and immobilize pregnant sows during most of their adult lives.

The Humane Society, which bought stock in Domino’s in 2010, submitted a shareholder resolution last fall asking Domino’s to report on the feasibility of ensuring its pork products come from producers that don’t use the crates.

Domino’s responded to the resolution: "We believe this is an issue that should be addressed directly with producers and suppliers, not customers.”

The society then recently filed an exempt solicitation with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, urging shareholders to vote in favor of the proposal on Domino’s 2012 proxy, according to a release.

The state of Michigan has already moved to make meat producers phase out gestation crates - passing a law that prohibits keeping sows in the crates except for seven days before their due date. The law doesn’t take effect until April 2020.

Major restaurant chains, including McDonald’s and Wendy’s, have recently agreed to phase out the practices from their supply chain.

To read the full MLive report click here.