Our investigator’s hidden camera captured a cow arriving at Bravo Packing, which slaughters cows for dog food and horses for exotic animal food. This video showed her with an apparent illness or injury, impairing her ability to stand, and she appeared to be in extreme distress, according to the veterinary expert who reviewed the footage. She was supposed to be protected by state and federal laws, but this didn’t help to ease her suffering.
This cow, who had likely already endured a life of cruelty, spent the last moments of her life being shot multiple times in the head with a handheld captive bolt. The first shot, designed to render her unconcious, failed. After this, she was dragged apparently still conscious from the trailer by a chain and slammed to the concrete floor into a pool of blood and feces.
A worker uses a captive bolt gun on the cow for a third time.
She was shot in the head with the captive bolt four times in total and it took more than 10 minutes for her to stop moving. According to a veterinarian who reviewed the video, “her repeated distressed vocalizations and bodily movements clearly indicate stress, pain, and suffering.” The disregard for her welfare and the cruelty inflicted on her can only be described as egregious.
The fight against the mistreatment of farmed animals does not end when the investigator's camera stops rolling. Animal Outlook is calling for criminal charges against Bravo Packing, alleging that their actions violated multiple federal and state laws, including the federal Humane Methods of Slaughter Act; the New Jersey Humane Treatment of Domestic Livestock Regulations; New Jersey's animal cruelty law; the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act; and New Jersey's food safety laws. We have already received responses from several agencies saying they are looking into our allegations.
While sadly this cow could not be saved, the fight for animals just like her will continue. We will not stop exposing the suffering that is rampant in the factory farming industry and working to hold animal abusers accountable. Will you help fuel our undercover investigators and legal advocacy by making a one-time donation or by joining our United for Change Monthly Giving Program?
Thank you. With you by our side, we work today to build a better tomorrow for all animals.
With gratitude,
Cheryl Leahy
Executive Director
P.S. In case you missed the video of this investigation, it can be viewed here.
As a non-profit organization, Animal Outlook relies on donations from caring, generous people like you. Every dollar matters. Your support makes a world of difference to farmed animals.
