Slaughterhouse Abuse

I’ve seen a lot of disturbing video in all the animal rights stories I’ve covered in the past 25 years – seen a lot of shocking things in person. But, the scenes uncovered by a Humane Society of the United States investigator at a Southern California slaughterhouse are quite bad. The Westland Meat Company in Chino takes spent cows from dairy farms and processes them for ground beef for the nation’s school lunch programs.

But, many of the animals from the dairy farms are “downer cows” – so sick, they can’t even stand up. By state and federal law, downer cows are not supposed to enter the food supply. They have a much higher chance of having mad cow disease, and they lie in the filth of a slaughterhouse’s holding pens, so they are more likely to spread ecoli and salmonella.

At the Westland plant, the undercover investigator caught workers trying to get downer cows to stand and into the slaughterhouse – by using a forklift, electric shock, and a high pressure hose. You can see the entire video released today by the Humane Society of the United States here.

The USDA has suspended the plant and banned it from the school lunch program, pending an investigation. You can read the USDA statement here. Also today, Westland fired two employees caught on tape abusing cows; you can read a statement from the company’s president here.

At the end of the USDA statement, the Agriculture Secretary takes a shot at the activists: “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.” Clearly, the USDA is questioning whether the Humane Society should’ve acted sooner, to prevent meat from sick cows being served to school children.

I posed the question to Wayne Pacelle, HSUS President and CEO. His answer: “If we had confidence in the USDA to act responsibly, they would have been our first destination. But, the history on the issue – they’re very tied in with the meat industry.” Pacelle says several weeks ago, the Humane Society took the case to the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office. And, when it appeared prosecutors were slow to act, they planned today’s release. Pacelle adds, “We had no interest in sitting on this. Our number one interest was prosecution.”

Comments

[everett]

the video of the abuse that these animals were subjected to was a horrible reflection of our society, but our public judgement and sentencing is so crazy. a man could lose his job,house, and part of his life for fighting a dog(that can defend itself), but a man gets fired, with another day to get it right, for treating helpless animals this way and putting humans, you and i, in harms way or better yet giving a kid a death sentence. just a thought

[Jack Kallu]

What I saw yesterday was terrible, Very Evil and In-humane.

That company should be CLOSED forever.
The Owner and all the workers should be punished, Fined and put in jail for few years.
Thoser were Defenseless poor animals that worked hard all thier life and give us milk to drink.
All those people involved are Very Evil.
Humane Sosiety should have been over this before the hurt those poor catle.
Humane Socilety is npt doing their job, they should be replaced also.
Thank You Dan!
May God Bless you in Jesus Name.

Best Regards,
Jack Kallu

[in SF]

BOYCOTT:
Hallmark Meat Packing (Westland Meat Company)

13677 Yorba Ave, Chino, CA 91710-5059, United States (Map) (Add Company Info)

Phone: (909) 591-0163

Also Does Business As:Westland Meat Company

SIC:Meat Packing Plants

Line of Business:Meat Packing Plant

[Chris C.]

Thank-you Dan and Channel-7 News for bringing this story to light. I sat with tears in my eyes as I saw that poor cow "scream" out in pain as she was being jabbed with that poker, that apparently delivers shocks. Then to see what followed with the forklift...I cannot get those pictures out of my mind! The abusers should be poked with that stick!!

This followed with the news that they are processing for consumption these cows which are already sick and subjecting the public to "Mad Cow" and other possible diseases is beyond comprehension! This company needs to be shut down, the CEO's/employees sued, and the abusers tried and put in jail! Fired isn't good enough!!!

If what I knew previously wasn't enough to make me stop eating meat, well this certainly did it!

Chris

[Tariq Marshall]

Indeed, this is a very disturbing video and jailtime for these individuals would be a condign punishment. It may or may not come as a surprise to many viewing this video, however, that this is not an isolated incident--it is simply one of many atrocities actually caught on tape. These horrific acts are actually quite commonplace in many slaughterhouses across America and happen everyday when the cameras are off.

Hats off to ABC and Dan for broadcasting this chapter of ignominy in the animal industry to many viewers who otherwise may never know how the neatly packaged meats in grocery stores are produced in slaughterhouses conveniently located light years away from civilization. Thank you for showing this.

[Peter]

Disgusting! Typical mentality of many Americans there! What a shame!

[Debbie Deschenes]

This is the most heartbreaking thing i have ever seen. All thoughs people should loose their jobs and the plant should be closed down!!!! Goes to show were spending our money in the wrong places, we really do need to take care of home. Protect our children from these facilities!!!!

[Joanna]

I was in shock to see this happening. These cows who are sick should not end up at a slaughter house. The should be humanly euthanized by a repsected Vet. I hope this slaughter house is subject to heavy fines and those who torchured those animals loced up in jail. Someone ought to shock them with the shock stick!

[Kathy K.]

Even though I cried all night after viewing this story, I thank you for running it and ask that the public be kept informed as to the prosecution. Outside of not eating meat, I feel at a loss as to what I can do to help these mistreated animals. Write to our representatives? Donate to the Humane Society? Who do we call, who do we write to, who do we petition to help these poor animals?

[Debbie H.]

Hideous . What a copout by the USDA and the head of the plant , passing the buck , claiming ignorance of how those poor creatures were being treated . They knew full well what was going on there . So much indifference and greed in the factory farm industry . I'm not surprised at how commonplace this has been , nor at how weak the laws have been regarding downed animals . Truly a " fast food nation " .

[KATHY K]

I CAN'T REMEMBER WHEN I HAVE BEEN SO HORRIFIED WITH THE VISION OF THAT POOR ANIMAL BEING ABUSED! THANK YOU FOR THE STORY. PLEASE KEEP THE STORY IN THE LIGHT AND LET YOUR VIEWERS KNOW THAT SOME JUSTICE WILL BE HAD FOR GOD'S CREATURES.

[Chriss Hobbs]

I was so upset by the in human treatment of these animals. I can not believe that there are people out there who can treat another living animal in such a terrible manner and live with themselves let alone sleep at night. I think this company should be SHUT DOWN and the owners and employee should face criminal charges and I can't believe that owners or upper management did'nt kown what was going on. I have always heard what goes around comes around and I hope it comes around very quickly for everyone involved in the poor treatment of these animals. Let's hope God can forgive them because I don't know if I could!!

Chriss Hobbs

[Deborah York]

I was so upset about the horrific abuse on the cows. I can't get the images out of my head. How could people do this to animals? I think we need to do something. What can we do to help? I have been a vegetarian for years. In my perfect world animals wouldn't be slaughtered. In my perfect world they would live happily ever after. I hope stories like this will be continually exposed. People need to know what is happening to farm animals.

[Michael Staples]

The film witnessed on your broadcast was one of the most disturbing things that I've ever seen on the news. To think that someone would treat animals like that, speaks volumes for the decline of the human condition in the U.S. The even scarier thing is that this is only film from one plant. It makes me believe that it is only the tip of the iceberg. Besides the basic inhumanity of the acts shown in the broadcast, the disregard for the health and safety of those of us who eat beef, is criminal. Way to go channel 7. Keep up the good work, and please follow this story as far as it can be taken. Make them pay for their mindless disregard of life.

[MrTemplar1]

This all disgusts me...
I have to go get sick now...
This is what happens whenever you give up regulation in any industry.
I am ashamed that practices of this sort are common not only here in our great state of California, but everywhere in the US.
Whenever I see the California Cow commercials I will remember the video of Westland Meat Company abuse
Please...we all must reform and change or we are doomed indeed.

[Jovy Jergens]

The night this story aired, it took me by surprise. I was so filled with horror at what is the worst case of animal abuse I have ever seen that I literally paced the floor clenching my hands because I could not sit still because of the degree of my agitation. I believe that action is the best antidote to suffering, our human suffering in viewing this video and the horrific suffering of the animals enduring it. Remember, the pen is mightier than the sword. There are websites telling you how to report animal abuse, they give instructions on who to write and how to write. There are farm animal sanctuaries which could give information, ditto congressmen and women, senators, local, county, state and federal agencies. If you bug them all enough they just might do something if for no other reason than to shut you up. And yes, I am now a vegetarian. I will never be able to get that video out of my mind, it will cause me pain till the day I die.

[suzen amajor]

Aren't we told CA cows are happy cows? Whoever makes those commercials never saw this report. Animals that are so ill should be put down long before they reach such a horrible fate. I'm not an activist or vegan, but such treatment of animals should not be allowed anywhere. It is a wrongful thing.

[JK Ward]

As everyone else, I was horrified at the treatment of these poor animals. A couple of employees were fired - that's like blaming a few soldiers for George Bush's war. The Westland Meat Company needs to be put out of business. I'm sure those fired employees were doing as they were told, no matter how horrific.

I would like to see a list of EVERY merchant that Westland Meat Company provides meat to (I'm sure it's probably more than just schools) - those are stores I would NEVER shop in again.

[VERY CONCERNED]

Are the employees being charge with animal abuse??? I am SICKENED by this story, the video and the lack of concern by the President of the slaughter house. It's bad ENOUGH they are probably in pain and they are moved around by machines while being poked and prodded????Everyone go to PETA I bet we can get more results for this poor excuse of a company.....

[Annette]

Dan & ABC, Do we know what is happening with this company and these miserable human beings?? It's been a week and I still replay that horrific video in my head and feel sick. I sent a letter to the USDA and everyone should take a moment to do so at:
https://community.hsus.org/campaign/CA_2008_investigation?rk=ndNP47nqQcklW

There is also an initiative working its way to get on the November California ballot to help pigs, calves and chickens by requiring farmers to make their crates large enough to allow them to move. Go here to learn more and how you can help: http://humanecalifornia.org/

Other good resources if you want to take action: www.peta.org and www.farmsanctuary.org

On a personal level, cut out meat & dairy from your diet if you can..

[Beaelliott]

Very sad.... But sadder still is the way these dairy cows live out their miserable lives on factory farms. An endless cycle of birthing and milking - yet, not once do they ever get to express their nature by feeding their own calves. Usually the calves are slaughtered within a day. Pathetic. Glad I'm Vegan!

[jchace]

Read "The Omnivoir's Dillema", buy local, and piss on these agribuisness ****tards!

[Claire]

I too am glad the video came out, good to hear I'm not the only one who got extremely angry and sick. I am just a small person, but I'll be one to write and write and write... everyone, anyone, who can help stop this abuse of our animals. Like the person above said, pain and suffering is pain and suffering, animal or no. They are a part of us. It's got to stop.

[Mark]

RE: Westland/Hallmark Meat Co

I hold you, Mr Secretary Ed Schafer and the USDA personally responsible for NOT monitoring this slaughter house and the inhumane treatment of animals we have witnessed and the processing of Downer Cows into the food supply of our Children. Myself along with millions of other Americans are Red meat eaters and are so because WE believe that these animals are treated with dignity and care when killed. You will have to do a much better job than you have been to convince me now that the USDA, under your guard is capable of managing this industry wide problem. You have failed us.
First: I want STEVE MENDELL, President of Westland/Hallmark Meat Co to be made an example to the others. Secondly: I want Westland/Hallmark Meat shut down for good. Thirdly, I want you, Mr Secretary, to show some true leadership and character by reforming all other Slaughterhouse practices in America. You are about to become the “Poster Child” for animal abuse across the country! Why? Because you have known about this problem since 2006. May I remind you, a 2006 audit by your USDA inspector general found downer cows were still being processed for food and that USDA's policy was inconsistent. At two of 12 plants visited from June 2004 to April 2005, downer cattle were slaughtered for food. One facility processed 27 of them, the other slaughtered two. Do the math: A downer cow typically brings $250 to $300 at slaughter. Sending the same animal to a rendering plant costs the owner $20 to $50 per carcass. You have been swindled Mr. Secretary and your ineffectiveness has compromised the health and welfare of our children and our animals. Please don’t tell me that you cannot put a USDA employee at every slaughterhouse and food processing plant in America 24/7. Don’t tell me that you cannot effectively impose and enforce fines and penalties. I am confident that you and your commitment to your career and legacy will find a way since your name and reputation is clearly on the radar of Americans now.
If you really truly believe in your final purpose in life, you need to turn this around an become a champion for animal rights reform and safety! This entire problem is now on your head! Solve this problem for the rest of your time, for our children and for the dignity of all animals!
I would strongly consider your next actions, Mr. Secretary or consider resigning before the American public forces you to in disgrace.

[Cheryl Young]

I was proud of you when you hid a camera in a slaughterhouse, and discovered inhumane practices on cattle. This same inhumane treatment was discovered in Washington years ago. I can't understand how anyone could start chopping up cattle before they're dead! That practice would have bad-tasting effects on the meat, too.
I've always wondered, in the past, how they kill the cattle before they cut it up. Do you know? My husband says they shoot them first. Do they? There would be an expense on ammunition, which might be an expense they didn't want.
My idea is to use a guillateen(sp?). That would be fast, painless(?)and involve no expense, other than paying someone to sharpen it every night. Would this idea be helpful? I can't stand the thought of the pain and fear involved in slaughterhouses that you have discovered.
Thank-you.Sincerely,
Cheryl Young
Central Point, OR