Over 300 Chickens Left to Die on Trailers in 90-Degree Heat at West Columbia Slaughterhouse; PETA Demands Criminal Probe

For Immediate Release:
November 20, 2024

Contact:
Nicole Perreira 202-483-7382

A shocking U.S. Department of Agriculture report just obtained by PETA reveals that 322 chickens died of apparent heat stroke on trailers in 90-degree weather at the House of Raeford slaughterhouse in West Columbia. In response, PETA today sent an urgent letter to Solicitor of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit Rick Hubbard III, urging him to investigate and file appropriate criminal charges against those responsible.

According to the report, on May 8 hundreds of chickens were left on transport trailers parked at House of Raeford after slaughter operations ended at around 4 p.m., despite an inspector’s warning that the birds would likely suffer and die from heat exhaustion. The inspector later uncovered documents showing that 322 chickens did indeed die on these trailers—exactly as they had predicted.

“Hundreds of chickens died slowly in terror and agony as a result of House of Raeford’s gross incompetence,” says PETA Vice President of Legal Advocacy Daniel Paden. “PETA is calling on prosecutors to investigate and hold House of Raeford accountable for this egregious cruelty and reminds everyone that the only humane meal is a vegan one.”

PETA is pursuing charges under the state’s cruel transport law because federal officials haven’t prosecuted any inspected slaughterhouses for acts of abuse since at least 2007—and because South Carolina’s anti-cruelty statute exempts birds from its protections.

PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to eat”—points out that Every Animal Is Someone and offers free Empathy Kits for people who need a lesson in kindness and free vegan starter kits for anyone thinking of making the switch. For more information, please visit PETA.org or follow PETA on X, Facebook, or Instagram.

PETA’s letter to Hubbard follows.

November 20, 2024

The Honorable Rick Hubbard III

Solicitor of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit

Dear Mr. Hubbard:

I’m writing to request that your office (and a law-enforcement agency, as necessary) investigate and file applicable criminal charges against House of Raeford and/or the individuals responsible for the egregious suffering of 322 chickens who died in the heat while being hauled to and caged at 410 W. Sunset Blvd. in West Columbia. 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 May 8, slaughter operations ended at House of Raeford at approximately 4 p.m. However, chickens remained on at least two trailers parked there, as the temperature reached 90 degrees. An FSIS inspector who “recalled having observed on occasions in [the] past during hot weather conditions that … birds were left in the sun” investigated further.

The inspector expressed to a House of Raeford manager “concern [for] the live chickens suffering needlessly” and likely dying “from heat exhaustion.” Despite this warning, the FSIS inspector later uncovered company documents revealing that 322 chickens had died on the trailers.

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. House of Raeford’s conduct appears to violate South Carolina Code of Laws § 47-1-50(A)(2), which prohibits anyone from carrying any animal in a vehicle in “an unnecessarily cruel or inhumane manner.” Unlike the state’s anti-cruelty statute—which absurdly exempts birds from protection against ill treatment—this law affords these 322 victims a chance at a small measure of justice. We urge your office to seek it.

Sincerely,

Daniel Paden

Vice President of Legal Advocacy