According to a Press Release issued on behalf of PETA, federal reports claim a local slaughterhouse recently shot a sheep in the head before cutting the conscious animal’s throat.
The release states workers at Harris Country Meats in Greeneville shot the sheep and six animals in the head multiple times each, among other violations. PETA sent a letter on August 7th, 2024 to Eastern District of Tennessee U.S. Attorney Francis Hamilton, urging him to collaborate with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Office of Inspector General to investigate and file appropriate criminal charges against those responsible.
The press release states that on June 25, a federal inspector saw a worker ineffectively shoot a sheep in the head, leaving the animal standing as blood ran from their nose. Another worker reportedly cut the sheep’s throat, causing the animal to jump and shake their head before slowly dying.
Additionally, PETA claims a cow and two pigs remained standing and crying out after being shot in the head in September and February 2023.
In January 2023, PETA brought to Hamilton’s attention the several violations at the slaughterhouse. The violations PETA claims are highlighted below:
- On September 6, 2022, a pig was shot in the head with a rifle and left conscious and crying out.
- On August 23, 2022, an FSIS inspector saw a worker shoot a pig in the head with a rifle. Rather than stunning the animal, the shot left her standing and crying out.
- Between July 12 and August 16, 2022, four cows were found confined without water.
- On June 7, 2022, a federal agent saw a worker shoot a pig in the head with a rifle but fail to stun the animal, who remained standing. The worker shot the pig in the head a second time and again failed to render the animal unconscious.
“These violations show that Harris Country Meats either can’t or won’t comply with a federal law designed to prevent the most egregious, prolonged suffering of animals,” says PETA Vice President of Legal Advocacy Daniel Paden. “PETA is calling for a criminal investigation on behalf of these animals.”
PETA is asking the U.S. attorney to intervene and states the USDA hasn’t initiated a criminal prosecution of any inspected slaughterhouses for acts of abuse since at least 2007. For more information, visit PETA.org.
