News Column

Animal Cruelty Charges Close Calif. Plant

Aug. 21, 2012

A federal investigation into allegations of animal cruelty has temporarily closed a California slaughterhouse, the company says.

The meat processing facility in Hanford was closed after the U.S. Department of Agriculture received a videotape that allegedly showed inhumane treatment of animals at the plant, the Fresno Bee reported.

Brian Coelho, president of Central Valley Meat Co., said the USDA suspended operations at the plant indefinitely while the agency conducts an investigation. He said the company is cooperating with investigators.

"We take these allegations seriously and we are committed to correcting any problems identified on the video as quickly as we possibly can," he said.

It wasn't clear when the plant was shut down.

USDA officials could not be reached for comment.



Source: Copyright United Press International 2012


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