Allegations of cruelty at California slaughterhouse SCHAUMBURG, Ill. — The recent report of animal abuse at a California slaughterhouse has been brought to our attention. According to an article in the Washington Post, undercover investigation by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) at a slaughterhouse in Chino alleges down animals were dragged, prodded with electric cattle prods, sprayed with high-intensity water hoses, and rolled with forklifts in attempt to get them to stand.
The practices documented in the video are not only disturbing, intolerable, and inhumane, but are also in violation of state and federal laws. The Humane Methods of Slaughter Act of 1978 (Public Law 95-448) mandates humane handling and slaughter practices at federally inspected facilities. The final rule, "Prohibition of the Use of Specified Risk Materials for Human Food and Requirements for the Disposition of Non-Ambulatory Cattle," (PDF, 240 Kb) was published in the Federal Register on July 13, 2007 and went into effect on October 1, 2007. This rule prohibits the slaughter of non-ambulatory disabled ("down") cattle offered for slaughter for human consumption. The rule was developed in response to the increased risk of down cows being infected with BSE (bovine spongiform encephalopathy, or 'mad cow disease') as well as to the need for humane treatment of disabled livestock.
The AVMA has been informed that the U.S. Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service (USDA-FSIS) has initiated an investigation. The AVMA encourages the USDA-FSIS and the Office of the Inspector General to thoroughly investigate the matter and enforce federal standards governing the humane care of animals destined for slaughter.
Also according to the Washington Post article, the footage was videotaped in the fall of 2007 but was only released to the press today. Although it is important to bring incidents such as this to the attention of the public, it is equally important that the regulatory groups responsible for oversight of these facilities are made aware of the situation as soon as possible. In a statement released today, Agriculture Secretary Ed Schaefer stated, "It is unfortunate that the Humane Society of the United States did not present this information to us when these alleged violations occurred in the fall of 2007. Had we known at the time the alleged violations occurred, we would have initiated our investigation sooner, and taken appropriate actions at that time."
American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) Executive Vice President Dr. Ron DeHaven agreed, stating, "It is regrettable that the HSUS did not share this information earlier to prevent the likely suffering of additional animals at the facility in question."
The AVMA has several policies regarding this subject. The "General Comments on Food Animals" policy states that "animals raised for food, fur, and/or fiber should be treated and handled humanely with due consideration to their welfare and well being," and acknowledges that "all must identify and take steps to abandon or correct practices that are cruel, abusive, neglectful, and contrary to the well being of animals." The policy on "Transport, Sale Yard Practices, and Humane Slaughter of Livestock" states that "physical abuse of animals must not be tolerated under any circumstances." The AVMA's policy on disabled livestock states that disabled livestock should be handled humanely in all situations. At no time is a nonambulatory, or down, animal to be dragged. AVMA policy recommends that down cattle be immediately euthanatized.
The AVMA recognizes that veterinarians employed in food supply and food safety are dedicated professionals who strive every day to ensure safety and quality of our nations' food supply. This disturbing video emphasizes the need for improved veterinary oversight of animal handling and slaughter, and underscores the importance of resolving workforce shortages that could compromise our country's food supply. The AVMA has been actively pursuing passage of the National Veterinary Medical Service Act and the Veterinary Workforce Expansion Act to ensure that veterinary workforce issues are adequately addressed and our food supply remains one of the safest in the world. If you care about this issue, we strongly urge you to write your Congressional representatives in both the House and the Senate and encourage them to pass the National Veterinary Medical Service Act, the Veterinary Public Health Workforce Expansion Act, and the 2007 Reauthorization of the Farm Bill.
Links:
Statement by Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer Regarding the Humane Society of the United States' Handling Allegations (USDA Web site)
AVMA's letter to the Editor of the Washington Post
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