For Fast Launch:
April 1, 2024
Contact:
Nicole Perreira 202-483-7382
Craig, Colo. – Following a disturbing sample of violations at Fitch Ranch Artisan Meat Firm in Craig—e.g., a employee dragged a disabled pig by her ears and workers have repeatedly shocked or electrocuted animals—PETA rushed a letter as we speak to 14th Judicial District Lawyer Matt Karzen urging him to research and file applicable felony fees in opposition to these accountable.
In an incident on February 21 that resulted in a brief suspension discover from the U.S. Division of Agriculture, a federal inspector reportedly witnessed a employee grabbing a disabled pig by her ears and dragging her off a trailer, inflicting her to cry out and fall from the trailer onto a concrete flooring. As soon as the pig was mendacity on the ground, the employee grabbed her by the ears once more and dragged her on her abdomen about 5 ft towards an alleyway, the place she cried out and acquired right into a “semi sitting place” whereas she continued to be dragged.
Moreover, final yr, slaughterhouse staff at Fitch Ranch Artisan Meat Firm botched beautiful makes an attempt on six totally different animals—a lamb, a cow, and two steers who had been repeatedly shot within the head and two pigs who had been repeatedly electrocuted. One of many pigs, who was electrocuted close to the shoulder blades as an alternative of on the top, cried out, ran round, and tried to climb out of the “stun field” earlier than one other worker lastly rendered the animal unconscious.
“These violations present that Fitch Ranch Artisan Meat Firm both can’t or received’t adjust to federal regulation designed to forestall the extended struggling of animals,” says PETA Vice President of Proof Evaluation Daniel Paden. “PETA is looking for a felony investigation on behalf of those animals and reminds everybody that the one humane meal is a vegan one.”
PETA is pursuing fees beneath state regulation as a result of federal officers haven’t prosecuted any inspected slaughterhouses for acts of abuse since no less than 2007.
PETA—whose motto reads, partly, that “animals should not ours to eat”—factors out that Each Animal Is Somebody and affords free Empathy Kits for individuals who want a lesson in kindness. For extra info, please go to PETA.org or comply with the group on X, Fb, or Instagram.
PETA’s letter to Karzen follows.
April 1, 2024
The Honorable Matt Karzen
14th Judicial District Lawyer
Pricey Mr. Karzen:
I hope this letter finds you nicely. I’d prefer to request that your workplace (and the correct native law-enforcement company, as you deem applicable) examine and file appropriate felony fees in opposition to Fitch Ranch Artisan Meat Firm and the employees accountable for dragging a disabled pig by the ears off of a trailer and throughout the power on February 21—and repeatedly capturing or electrocuting six animals—at its slaughterhouse positioned at 383 E. First St. exterior Craig. The U.S. Division of Agriculture’s Meals Security and Inspection Service (FSIS) documented the newest incident within the hooked up report, which states the next:
Whereas the institution was unloading a lame market swine from a livestock trailer on the secondary entrance into the alleyway, I noticed an institution worker seize the [conscious pig] by [her] ears and drag the animal on [her] stomach off of the trailer. The swine started vocalizing when [she] was grabbed by the ears. The … animal fell from the trailer to the concrete flooring … roughly 10 inches. As soon as the [pig] was out of the trailer and laying on the bottom, the … worker then grabbed the swine by [her] ears once more and continued to pull the animal on [her] stomach roughly 5 ft in direction of the alleyway and the swine sat up right into a semi sitting place for about 3 ft whereas nonetheless being dragged by [the] ears. The swine was vocalizing whereas being dragged.
Moreover, FSIS issued this facility a “Letter of Concern” final yr for six violations of federal regulation that brought about animals to endure extended, painful deaths:
- On June 28, 2023, a pig was electrocuted, remained aware, and cried out after electrical tongs slipped off her ears.
- On June 26, a steer continued standing, trying round, crying out, and bleeding after he was shot within the head.
- On June 21, a employee shot a lamb once more after the primary shot did not stun the animal.
- On June 20, a cow continued to face and go searching after being shot within the head.
- On June 14, a employee electrocuted a pig close to the shoulder blades as an alternative of the top. The pig cried out, ran round, and tried to climb out of the “stun field” earlier than one other worker lastly rendered the animal unconscious.
- On March 1, a steer remained aware after he was shot within the head.
Additional particulars about a few of these incidents could be discovered right here.
This conduct seems to violate C.R.S.A. § 18-9-202. Importantly, FSIS’ actions carry no felony or civil penalties and don’t preempt felony legal responsibility beneath state regulation for slaughterhouse staff who perpetrate acts of cruelty to animals. Provided that FSIS has not initiated a felony prosecution of a licensed slaughterhouse for inhumane dealing with since no less than 2007, fees beneath state regulation are these victims’ solely likelihood at a measure of justice.
Please tell us if we are able to do something to help you. Thanks to your consideration and for the tough work that you simply do.
Sincerely,
Colin Henstock
Investigations Undertaking Supervisor
