Jan 30, 2008 6:50 pm US/Pacific
Chino Slaughterhouse Accused Of Abusing Sick Cows
WASHINGTON (AP) ―
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Undercover Humane Society video footage shows sick cows being rammed with forklift blades, being kicked by workers, prodded with electric rods and sprayed with water.
CBS
The Agriculture Department said Wednesday it will investigate whether sick dairy cows were mistreated at a Chino slaughterhouse in violation of state and federal laws designed to ensure food safety and prevent animal cruelty.
Newly installed Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer says the department is taking the allegations seriously after video footage showed workers at Hallmark Meat Packing repeatedly kicking cows and ramming them with the blades of a forklift as the animals squealed in pain.
Schafer says "appropriate actions will be taken" if violations are found in the facility. He says there is no evidence the nation's beef supply is at risk.
Hallmark supplies the Westland Meat Company, which processes the carcasses. The facility is a major supplier to a USDA program that distributes beef to needy families, the elderly and to schools through the National School Lunch Program. Westland was named a USDA "supplier of the year" for 2004-2005 and has delivered beef to schools in 36 states.
(© 2009 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)
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