PETA wants criminal review after USDA report finds Case Farms worker punched chicken
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is seeking a criminal investigation of an incident involving an employee of Case Farms' Winesburg processing facility, after a USDA agency said the worker punched a chicken in the chest in December.
The Food Safety and Inspection Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture documented the Dec. 17 incident.
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According to the report, a worker responsible for shackling live chickens upside down at the facility “closed his hand into a fist, withdrew his closed hand from the shackled birds and rapidly accelerated his hand toward the birds on the line. The individual deliberately struck a bird in the breast.”
The inspection agent noted the action constituted “intentional mistreatment of an animal.”
Inspector reports Case Farms chicken incident
The on-site inspector immediately reported the observation to a Case Farms supervisor.
According to a news release from PETA, Case Farms implemented corrective action with the individual and scheduled humane handling retraining at the end of the shift.
Senior Vice President Stephanie Styons, a spokesperson for Case Farms, said the company is aware of the USDA report regarding an animal safety incident at one of its facilities.
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"We are earnestly investigating the matter," Styons said. "At Case Farms, the welfare of the animals under our care is of the utmost importance. Our company officials and consulting veterinarians have developed procedures that enable the company to properly train and monitor our employees in all areas throughout the life span of the chickens."
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Under Ohio law, cruelty to animals is punishable by up to 90 days in jail and a $750 fine, and the definition of “animal” includes “every living dumb creature.”
“Punching an animal is illegal, whether the victim is a chicken or a dog,” PETA Senior Vice President Daphna Nachminovitch said in the release. “PETA is calling for a criminal investigation into this worker’s willful and violent act.”
Holmes County Prosecuting Attorney Matt Muzic said his office has not received a report and has not taken any action.
Contact reporter Kevin Lynch at klynch@the-daily-record.com.
This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: PETA seeks action after Case Farms worker punches chicken
