ALLEGAN COUNTY, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, also known as PETA is seeking investigation on a slaughterhouse in Allegan County for numerous charges of cruelty to animals.
New U.S. Department of Agriculture documents revealed that employees at JBS Slaughterhouse near Plainwell repeatedly shot six cows in the head, leaving them still conscious and in severe pain.
According to a release dated March 4, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, or PETA, sent a letter to Allegan Prosecuting Attorney Myrene Kay Koch on March 3, asking her to investigate and file criminal charges against those responsible for the incidents occurring between April and August of 2021.
The USDA also cited JBS six times between June and September of 2021 after finding other cows downed, stuck, and crying out in distress, including one steer found crammed into a box with another steer standing on top of him. Another cow was trapped by the head between a bar and a wall for at least 19 minutes, and other animals were found stuck on a fence, trapped between a pipe and a plate, and with their legs protruding through failing floors in transport trailers.
- On April 15, 2021, a worker ineffectively shot an immobile cow in her head before a second shot rendered her unconscious.
- On May 5, 2021, a worker ineffectively shot a cow in the head twice before stunning the animal. The first shot was apparently misplaced.
- On May 17, 2021, a worker shot a cow in her head, dropping her to her knees but leaving her looking around. A second shot rendered her unconscious.
- On June 29, 2021, a worker punctured a cow’s skull with a bolt but left the cow jumping and looking around before a second shot stunned the animal.
- On July 26, 2021, a worker ineffectively shot another downed cow in her head, after which she looked around—before she was shot again.
- On August 20, 2021, a worker shot a cow between the eye and ear, leaving the animal bleeding but conscious. A second blast stunned the cow.
