Humane Society releases video of cattle being abused
By Greg Toppo, USA TODAY
WASHINGTON — The group whose undercover slaughterhouse video prompted the largest beef recall in U.S. history in February alleged on Wednesday that cattle continue to be abused, this time at livestock auctions.
The Humane Society of the United States, an animal rights group, said a new investigation discovered dairy cattle being abused in May at a livestock auction in New Mexico. The group said an investigator watched three cows and calves "being mistreated and tormented in order to get them to stand and walk" into an auction ring in Portales. The group said state inspectors "were present at the auctions and apparently saw much of the abuse."
At the group's headquarters, president Wayne Pacelle played for reporters a short video that showed a stockyard worker kicking a cow, another cow struggling to pull itself forward by its front legs and another being dragged by a hind leg with a chain attached to a Bobcat-type tractor.
A meat industry trade association condemned the handling practices shown in the video, calling them "simply inexplicable." Read More
The release of another video showing sale barn workers mis-handling livestock serves as yet another reminder that HSUS will continue to try eliminating animal agriculture by searching all over the United States for these isolated cases. The actions taken by these employees cannot be defended which is why everyone of us involved in animal agriculture need to do our part to make sure no more videos get released.
Showing posts with label downer cows. Show all posts
Showing posts with label downer cows. Show all posts
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
New Rule
New ag rule closing downer cow slaughter exception
By ERICA WERNER – 9 hours ago
WASHINGTON (AP) — Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer announced Tuesday a total ban on meat plant slaughter of cows too sick or weak to stand.
The planned change comes in the wake of the nation's largest beef recall. It would shut down an exception — which critics call a loophole — that allows a small number of so-called "downer" cattle into the food supply if they pass veterinary inspection.
Downer cows pose increased risk for mad cow disease and other infections, partly because they typically wallow in feces. They are already mostly banned from slaughter, but under current rules can be allowed in if they fall down after passing an initial veterinary inspection, and then are re-inspected and pass that second inspection, too.
Democratic lawmakers and the Humane Society of the United States have lobbied Schafer to eliminate that exception, and the meat and dairy industry last month reversed its opposition and endorsed the change too. Read More
Whether the animal was considered a downer due to disease or an injury, the elimination of any possibility that these animals could enter the food supply will be a good thing for the industry. Public health was not the reason for this change, it was changed to show the public how committed our industry is to supplying the safest food supply in the world. Perception is reality in today’s media environment and our industry will be better off with today’s rule change.
By ERICA WERNER – 9 hours ago
WASHINGTON (AP) — Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer announced Tuesday a total ban on meat plant slaughter of cows too sick or weak to stand.
The planned change comes in the wake of the nation's largest beef recall. It would shut down an exception — which critics call a loophole — that allows a small number of so-called "downer" cattle into the food supply if they pass veterinary inspection.
Downer cows pose increased risk for mad cow disease and other infections, partly because they typically wallow in feces. They are already mostly banned from slaughter, but under current rules can be allowed in if they fall down after passing an initial veterinary inspection, and then are re-inspected and pass that second inspection, too.
Democratic lawmakers and the Humane Society of the United States have lobbied Schafer to eliminate that exception, and the meat and dairy industry last month reversed its opposition and endorsed the change too. Read More
Whether the animal was considered a downer due to disease or an injury, the elimination of any possibility that these animals could enter the food supply will be a good thing for the industry. Public health was not the reason for this change, it was changed to show the public how committed our industry is to supplying the safest food supply in the world. Perception is reality in today’s media environment and our industry will be better off with today’s rule change.
Monday, May 19, 2008
The Whole Story
Pictures are worth a thousand words, but not the whole picture
By Kevin E. Dayhoff
Last Wednesday, the Humane Society of the United States released videotape of an "undercover investigation" which claimed to show the "shocking abuse of 'downer' cows occurs not just at slaughter plants but É at livestock auctions and stockyards around the country," according to the humane society press release.
Last Wednesday, the Humane Society of the United States released videotape of an "undercover investigation" which claimed to show the "shocking abuse of 'downer' cows occurs not just at slaughter plants but É at livestock auctions and stockyards around the country," according to the humane society press release.
One of the stockyards "investigated" was the Westminster Livestock Auction.
In a carefully choreographed press conference, Humane Society President Wayne Pacelle played the video shot at the WLA and said: "This is just pitiful. É This poor creature, too weak to move, just left there to languish and to die."
In the first seconds of the video, a cow that is unable to walk is shown in the unloading gate at the livestock auction.
In an interview last Thursday, Jim Horak Sr., owner of the livestock auction since 2004, said a hired trucker unloaded the cow at a busy moment that evening; just as "the man who handles the gate was (away) moving other cattle that had just been unloaded."
When the gatekeeper returned minutes later, just after the cow was unloaded; he found the cow down. Horak said that upon being told that the auction did not accept livestock that cannot walk, the driver refused to take the cow back and quickly left. Read More
As the stories behind the video start to make it into the media, we find that maybe things aren’t what they appear to be on the surface. Obviously, HSUS isn’t going to ever put out a video showing livestock producers doing things to take care of their animals. This is why it is so important for everyone in agriculture to tell their story. If you don’t, HSUS will be more than happy to tell their version for you.
Friday, May 9, 2008
Investigation Continues
Report sparks change in livestock regulations
Reports of inhumane treatment of a cow too injured to move at the Westminster Livestock Auction Market have spurred the Maryland Department of Agriculture to tighten regulations.
The U.S. Humane Society videotaped the cow April 22 and notified the MDA. The cow dropped off by its owner, was not recovering well from surgery and the auction’s owner allegedly failed to follow state regulations and take care of the animal, according to MDA.
“A downed animal would either need to be humanely euthanized or under the care of a veterinarian,” said Julie Oberg, an MDA spokeswoman. “He has to take appropriate care for a downed animal, and he allegedly did not do those things. There’s also allegations that he did not provide food and water.” Read More
The investigation as to what exactly happened at this auction continues. HSUS claims that they found abuse at all four sale barns that they randomly selected. The truth of the matter is they will search to no end to find something they can use in their quest to eliminate animal agriculture in this country. The solution to stopping their crusade is for all of us in animal agriculture to make a stand. They have a $130 million budget, but your story and passion for agriculture is more powerful. Use that to your advantage.
Reports of inhumane treatment of a cow too injured to move at the Westminster Livestock Auction Market have spurred the Maryland Department of Agriculture to tighten regulations.
The U.S. Humane Society videotaped the cow April 22 and notified the MDA. The cow dropped off by its owner, was not recovering well from surgery and the auction’s owner allegedly failed to follow state regulations and take care of the animal, according to MDA.
“A downed animal would either need to be humanely euthanized or under the care of a veterinarian,” said Julie Oberg, an MDA spokeswoman. “He has to take appropriate care for a downed animal, and he allegedly did not do those things. There’s also allegations that he did not provide food and water.” Read More
The investigation as to what exactly happened at this auction continues. HSUS claims that they found abuse at all four sale barns that they randomly selected. The truth of the matter is they will search to no end to find something they can use in their quest to eliminate animal agriculture in this country. The solution to stopping their crusade is for all of us in animal agriculture to make a stand. They have a $130 million budget, but your story and passion for agriculture is more powerful. Use that to your advantage.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Downer Cattle Video
The Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) has released a video today alleging abuse of downed dairy cattle at four different auction yards. While we don’t know the validity of their claims as of yet, an investigation has already begun. The video was taken during April and May of this year and was shared with US Secretary of Agriculture Edward Schafer on Friday.
If these allegations of abuse are true, there is no excuse for this mishandling. Auction markets have available to them quality assurance programs to teach proper handling to their employees and management must make sure that these handling procedures are being put in place.
No one in livestock production wants to see an animal suffer. Those of us that work with livestock on a daily basis work hard everyday to make sure that our animals are content. Producers know that their livelihood depends on these animals living healthy lives and being handled in the best possible way.
Millions of head of livestock are handled every year in this country using proper handling guidelines. And our industry should expect nothing less.....Troy
If these allegations of abuse are true, there is no excuse for this mishandling. Auction markets have available to them quality assurance programs to teach proper handling to their employees and management must make sure that these handling procedures are being put in place.
No one in livestock production wants to see an animal suffer. Those of us that work with livestock on a daily basis work hard everyday to make sure that our animals are content. Producers know that their livelihood depends on these animals living healthy lives and being handled in the best possible way.
Millions of head of livestock are handled every year in this country using proper handling guidelines. And our industry should expect nothing less.....Troy
HSUS Releases Video
Humane Society releases new video of mistreated livestock
By NATASHA T. METZLER – 2 hours ago
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Humane Society of the United States released video footage Wednesday of sick and injured livestock the group says were mistreated at auction sites and stockyards where cattle are sold for slaughter.
The group released videos shot during April and May showing downed cows abandoned for hours at facilities in Maryland, New Mexico, Pennsylvania and Texas. A video was posted on the group's Web site.
"We found downed cows in a state of ill health, with no relief provided to the animals," said Wayne Pacelle, the organization's president and chief executive. Read More
Here is the Associated Press report on the release of the HSUS video alleging abuse of downer cattle at four separate auction markets.
By NATASHA T. METZLER – 2 hours ago
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Humane Society of the United States released video footage Wednesday of sick and injured livestock the group says were mistreated at auction sites and stockyards where cattle are sold for slaughter.
The group released videos shot during April and May showing downed cows abandoned for hours at facilities in Maryland, New Mexico, Pennsylvania and Texas. A video was posted on the group's Web site.
"We found downed cows in a state of ill health, with no relief provided to the animals," said Wayne Pacelle, the organization's president and chief executive. Read More
Here is the Associated Press report on the release of the HSUS video alleging abuse of downer cattle at four separate auction markets.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Downer Cattle
Meat and Dairy Groups Now Back Downer-Cattle Ban
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: April 23, 2008
In a significant reversal, major meat and dairy industry groups backed a total ban on so-called downer cattle from entering the food supply. Calls for such a ban have come from watchdog groups and some lawmakers in the wake of the large beef recall from a Southern California slaughterhouse in February, but the industry had resisted. Current law bans slaughter of most cows that are unable to stand, or downers, but allows them in if they fall after passing a veterinarian’s inspection and then are reinspected. Advocacy groups called that a loophole, but the Agriculture Department and the meat industry opposed changing it. Now, under pressure from Congress and outside groups, the industry has reconsidered. The American Meat Institute, the National Meat Association and the National Milk Producers Federation said they had petitioned the Agriculture Department to enact a total ban. “We think that the time has come,” said Jeremy Russell, spokesman for the National Meat Association, which represents some 400 packers and processors. “We want to send a clear message to consumers that we’re putting their welfare and concerns ahead of the economics.” Link
Anytime there is something like the massive beef recall that happens, you hope that there is a silver lining for the industry hidden somewhere in the mess. There was no excuse for the way those animals were treated. Hopefully this will eliminate the possibility of this happening again.
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: April 23, 2008
In a significant reversal, major meat and dairy industry groups backed a total ban on so-called downer cattle from entering the food supply. Calls for such a ban have come from watchdog groups and some lawmakers in the wake of the large beef recall from a Southern California slaughterhouse in February, but the industry had resisted. Current law bans slaughter of most cows that are unable to stand, or downers, but allows them in if they fall after passing a veterinarian’s inspection and then are reinspected. Advocacy groups called that a loophole, but the Agriculture Department and the meat industry opposed changing it. Now, under pressure from Congress and outside groups, the industry has reconsidered. The American Meat Institute, the National Meat Association and the National Milk Producers Federation said they had petitioned the Agriculture Department to enact a total ban. “We think that the time has come,” said Jeremy Russell, spokesman for the National Meat Association, which represents some 400 packers and processors. “We want to send a clear message to consumers that we’re putting their welfare and concerns ahead of the economics.” Link
Anytime there is something like the massive beef recall that happens, you hope that there is a silver lining for the industry hidden somewhere in the mess. There was no excuse for the way those animals were treated. Hopefully this will eliminate the possibility of this happening again.
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