Feds See Workers Repeatedly Electroshock Cow; PETA Seeks Criminal Probe

For Immediate Release:
October 19, 2022

Contact:
David Perle 202-483-7382

Following a recently obtained federal report documenting workers electroshocking a cow over and over—including on the anus—at Fort Worth Meat Packers, PETA fired off a letter this morning to Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney Sharen Wilson calling on her to investigate and file applicable criminal charges against those responsible. According to the report, on April 7, a federal agent saw a worker electroshock a cow multiple times. When that failed to drive the “reluctant” animal to move to his or her death, a worker “proceeded to handle the electric prod, place the electrodes on the surface of the … animal[’s] anus and activate the electric prod,” causing the animal to twitch.

“This slaughterhouse is hell on Earth for animals, where a cow was repeatedly tormented,” says PETA Vice President of Evidence Analysis Daniel Paden. “PETA is calling on the criminal district attorney to prevent more illegal suffering by bringing appropriate charges—and reminds everyone that the only humane meal is a vegan one.”

PETA points out that cows, pigs, sheep, chickens, and other animals feel pain and fear and value their lives, just as humans do. The group is pursuing charges under state law because federal officials haven’t prosecuted any inspected slaughterhouses for acts of abuse since at least 2007.

PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to eat”—opposes speciesism, a human-supremacist worldview. For more information on PETA’s investigative newsgathering and reporting, please visit PETA.org or follow the group on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram.

PETA’s letter to Wilson follows.

October 19, 2022

The Honorable Sharen Wilson

Criminal District Attorney

Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney’s Office

Dear Ms. Wilson:

I’m writing to request that your office (and a law-enforcement agency, as necessary) investigate and file applicable criminal charges against those responsible for repeatedly electroshocking a cow—including on the anus—at Fort Worth Meat Packers LLC, located at 3801 N. Grove St. in Fort Worth. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) documented the incident in reports that the agency recently made available to the public. (See the attached table.)

According to the reports, on April 7 a federal agent saw Fort Worth Meat Packers workers moving cattle through an alley. One worker repeatedly electroshocked one of the animals, who was “reluctant” to move forward to be slaughtered. When that effort failed, a worker “proceeded to handle the electric prod, place the electrodes on the surface of the … animal[’s] anus and activate the electric prod. The leading animal twitched.”

This conduct does not represent the otherwise-exempt “generally accepted and otherwise lawful … agriculture practice involving livestock animals” and may violate Texas Penal Code § 42.09. Please note that FSIS’ action carries no criminal or civil penalties and does not preempt criminal liability under state law for acts of cruelty to animals.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

Daniel Paden

Vice President of Evidence Analysis

Cruelty Investigations Department