Last year, an Animal Outlook undercover investigator went inside Bravo Packing*, which slaughters cows and horses for animal feed. The investigator captured footage of a cow in the final moments of her life, unable to stand and in apparent extreme distress.
As a result of this investigation, Joseph Merola, the owner of Bravo Packing, Inc., pleaded guilty to a criminal charge. He will pay the maximum fine available for the violation.
Over the course of the nearly 17-minute video captured by our undercover investigator, this cow was shot multiple times in the head with a handheld captive bolt. The first shot, which should have rendered her unconscious by punching a hole through her skull and into her brain, was unsuccessful. At this point, rather than ensuring she was unconscious, she was instead dragged from the transport trailer by a chain and slammed onto the concrete floor and into a pool of blood and feces.
This cow had to be shot in the head four times with the captive bolt and it took over 10 minutes for her to stop moving. Her distress, pain, and suffering was apparent during this time through her uncontrolled movements and agonized vocalizations. The treatment of this cow can only be described as heartbreaking.
This recent criminal charge adds to the list of many legal problems Bravo Packing has faced, which stretch back well over a decade. The company’s products have previously been shown to be contaminated with Salmonella and Listeria, leading to product recall. In addition, last year, the Department of Justice, on behalf of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), filed a legal complaint which led to a first-of-its-kind consent decree with an animal-food manufacturer whereby Bravo Packing had to stop selling pet food until taking major corrective actions such as hiring a “sanitation expert,” implementing employee training, and submitting to unannounced FDA inspections. Throughout this time, Bravo has continued its slaughter practices to make food for exotic animals.
Between now and December 31, all donations up to $100,000 will be matched, doubling your impact in getting justice for animals like the cow who suffered so horrifically at Bravo Packing.
Together, I know we’ll create a better tomorrow for all animals--one where vegan eating is the norm and animals like this cow will no longer suffer. Until that day, we’ll keep fighting for abused and neglected farmed animals. I hope you’ll join us as we continue to expose the truth and inspire change.
With gratitude,
Cheryl Leahy
Executive Director
P.S. For a donation of $100 or more, you’ll have a chance to win one of five copies of the award-winning book HIDDEN: Animals in the Anthropocene by Jo-Anne McArthur and Keith Wilson.
*No affiliation with Bravo Pet Foods.
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.
