The Agriculture Department shut down a Vermont slaughterhouse following the release of a video of animal abuses allegedly witnessed by a USDA inspector.
In the video, an employee at Bushways Packing Inc. in Grand Isle tries to skin alive a days-old calf in front of an alleged USDA inspector, among other abuses. A Humane Society investigator took the video while employed undercover at the slaughterhouse.
“This government official tells the worker, on hidden camera, that if another USDA inspector saw this, the plant would be shut down, but he allows the abuse to continue,” the Humane Society said in a news release.
Agriculture Secretary Thomas Vilsack called the abuse “deplorable” and “callous.” He said employees are obligated to report noncompliant behavior.
Both USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service and inspector general are investigating.
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I hope they never allow this plant to re-open and also hope they prosecute the employees involved. Those people are sick and are capable of anything if they subject a living creature to the abuse they subjected these animals to. I am making sure that I forward this video to as many people as I can. It is an outrage.
For more of the story, including the fact that this plant was shut down before!?!?!?! Look here:
http://ppjg.wordpress.com/2009/11/05/bushway-brutality-to-bob-calves-is-a-symptom-of-big-bureaucracy-and-business-part-1/#comments
Looks like a bunch of people have some explaining to do.
The best way to avoid cruelty to day old bobby calves is to refrain from dairy products… These babies were stolen from their mothers, so that humans may steal the milk…
The best way to avoid cruelty to all animals is to abstain from consuming anything that comes from their enslavement and suffering.
It is better for human health, better for the environment and certainly better for the animals to choose a compassionate & sustainable Vegan diet.
This is the fourth plant shut-down in 5 months for inhumane treatment of the days-old calves. Please help get the Vermont state’s attorney to prosecute those involved for aggravated animal abuse. We are Vermonters who want your help in stopping this in our state! Sign the petition at
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/146/justice-for-the-calves