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The Leopard
03 Feb 15 13:38
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Date Joined: 05 Apr 06
| Topic/replies: 48,023 | Blogger: The Leopard's blog
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-31094229

One man has been sacked and three others at a North Yorkshire slaughterhouse have had their operating licences suspended after hidden cameras filmed alleged mistreatment of animals.

Footage captured by Animal Aid apparently shows sheep being kicked and punched at Bowood Lamb in Thirsk.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has begun an investigation.

It said there was "no excuse" for how the animals were treated, and said prosecutions could follow.

The slaughterhouse is licensed to kill animals under the halal code, which states that animals are supposed to be killed quickly with a single sweep of a surgically-sharp knife. They should not see the knife before they are slaughtered, or witness the death of other animals.

The law requires abattoirs to stun animals before slaughter to prevent unnecessary suffering, but there are exemptions for Jewish and Muslim producers.

The BBC's Richard Lister says the footage presents a "deeply disturbing picture"
Animal rights group Animal Aid recorded the footage with hidden cameras.

An FSA spokesman confirmed that four slaughtermen had had their licences suspended, meaning they cannot operate as slaughtermen or work with live animals.

The footage apparently shows:

A worker hacking and sawing at animals' throats, in contravention of Islamic practice
Sheep being kicked, lifted by their ears and hurled into solid structures
A worker jumping up and down on a sheep
The animals being frightened by waving knives, smacking and shouting
A worker holding his fist as if to punch the sheep he is holding
More than 4,000 sheep were filmed being killed at Bowood over a three-day period in December.

Kate Fowler, head of campaigns at Animal Aid, said that "vicious attacks on defenceless, frightened animals are inexcusable".
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Report cooperman • February 3, 2015 1:46 PM GMT
Despicable dregs of society committing shameful acts against defenceless animals. Animal Aid to be praised for exposing these practices.
Report rob_dylan • February 3, 2015 1:47 PM GMT
Should go to prison imo.
Report Dr Crippen • February 3, 2015 2:13 PM GMT
They're little more than animals themselves.

I'd definitely send them to jail and ban them from ever working with animals again.
Report Wesdag • February 3, 2015 2:25 PM GMT
Absolutely sickening scenes - couldn't watch it all I was so disgusted.

What kind of scum could treat poor animals like this?

There are a couple of petitions related to these vile practices which should be signed.

http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/
Report blackbarn • February 3, 2015 2:55 PM GMT
This is awful and absolutely indefensible, and prosecutions under the relevant animal cruelty legislation should be bought BUT this kind of abuse probably goes on whether the process is Halal or not.  To muddle this up with that legal process actually underplays the seriousness of it by suggesting that that is the cause.
Report The Leopard • February 3, 2015 3:02 PM GMT
From what I saw the cutters were getting frustrated because the sheep did not want to go quietly.

If they had to stun them first then this would not happen.

Non-stunning is at the root of this evil.
Report Eeternaloptimist • February 3, 2015 3:04 PM GMT
I agree. There will be sick nutters in any abattoir. The issue which isn't being addressed is overall animal welfare in relation to kosher and halal and the fact that we don't have a uniform law on animal welfare in what is now claimed is a secular country.
Report hectoratoratora • February 3, 2015 3:08 PM GMT
My father was in the meat trade for 50yrs and he always said takes a certain type of person to be a slaughterman.Lets face it they are hardly likely to be animal lovers halal or not.
Report alun2005 • February 3, 2015 3:10 PM GMT
There won't be any serious response by the authorities anytime soon that's for sure. Look how long it's taken for the UK to mount it's FIRST ever prosecution against the Genital Mutilation of young women and girls.
Report blackbarn • February 3, 2015 3:10 PM GMT
Leopard - most Halal slaughtering uses some form of stunning (80%+ according to the FSA).  The Halal process doesnt allow stunning by cardiac arrest used in non slaughterhouses because it it considered cruel.  Without wishing to sound pompous (oh all right thenCrazyCrazy) this issue is not as simple as many people think.
Report themightymac • February 3, 2015 3:12 PM GMT
Some of the horror stories I heard from old guys who worked in slaughterhouses in the 50s, 60s and 70s about animals being mistreated would shock the lot of you. Been going on since these horror establishments were first opened. I suppose conditions must be better now with the monitoring that goes on, but don`t kid yourselves it will forever continue. After a day or two in the job, killing these animals becomes pretty routine even for a normal person, let alone the hundreds of sadists who work in these establishments.

As for Halal killings, it shouldn`t be allowed in this country or anywhere else.
Report treble • February 3, 2015 3:16 PM GMT
This abuse has nothing to do with Halal. If you actually learn about halal processes, you will see that genuine halal practitioners take better care of the animals than many of our normal abbatoirs do.

These are just sick individuals who deserve to be punished. Don't even bring religion into it.

It's time for mandatory monitored CCTV cameras in all abbatoirs to ensure best practice takes place 100% of the time.
Report Aunty Post • February 3, 2015 3:18 PM GMT
You have to question as to what kind of workers these are.

Vicious, sadistic b@stards comes to mind!

You also have to question their background and suitability for the job.

We've talked on this subject before and I was "shot down" as usual, by stating that a vet has to be on hand.
This I verified by a family member who has experience of the industry.

That being the case, you have to ask why one wasn't present here, or did this only happen when a vet wasn't there, for some reason.
Report naydam • February 3, 2015 3:21 PM GMT
Loss of job and licences is not enough. This contemptible behaviour will only improve when the culprits are severely punished.
And as for the manager being unaware of events...bollocks! It is HIS job to know. He should be charged with aiding and abetting these offences.

They are ALL fuc king scum! This is totally unnecessary suffering being inflicted for the gratuitous pleasure of a o0ut-and-out tw4t.
Report themightymac • February 3, 2015 3:24 PM GMT
If you lot didn`t eat meat, there would be no such thing as slaughterhouses.
Report Aunty Post • February 3, 2015 3:59 PM GMT
naydam...we've talked on this subject before and I was "shot down", as usual, by stating that a vet is supposed to be present at all times.

That I had verified with someone in the business, so I'm going to assume that no vet was present at this time.

Either way the manager, who for all we know could also be a vicious psychopath, should be first in the firing line for disciplinary
and legal actions.
Report Aunty Post • February 3, 2015 4:02 PM GMT
I'm so upset and angry that I seem to have repeated myself!Whoops
Report Aunty Post • February 3, 2015 4:08 PM GMT
More than 4,000 sheep were filmed being killed at Bowood over a three-day period in December.

Can you even begin to imagine that scene?
Report Eeternaloptimist • February 3, 2015 4:37 PM GMT
People have the right to eat meat if that is their choice mightymac but the law should be clear and unequivocal on animal welfare and should be applied to all. I can't think of anything more revolting than eating dead animals myself but each to their own.
Report stewarty b • February 3, 2015 4:49 PM GMT
What do you think about eating fish EO?
Report Eeternaloptimist • February 3, 2015 4:52 PM GMT
I also feel people have that right Stewarty and have myself wrestled with it on and off for many years.
Report mememe • February 3, 2015 4:55 PM GMT
What's happening in this country?

First it was children in Rotherham (and elsewhere) being abused and the authorities turning a blind eye.

There's FGM and the authorities take an age to bring just 1 case.

There's always been the cruel practice of halal slaughter but the authorities allow it to happen - but vets prof body says it shouldn't be allowed.

And now cruelty to animals in halal slaughterhouse.

If we're not careful, we'll allow the Mus pigdogs to run the country - oops, I forgot, we do.

Well, it's got to stop - but how??
Report stewarty b • February 3, 2015 5:05 PM GMT
The reason I asked EO was not to take a pop but to genuinely find out your view. I presume you are a Vegan and although I'm not, my diet has changed as I've got older. It has nothing to do with animal rights, (which I fully support) but Ms stew and my self's main source of protein is fish and chicken.
Report Emden • February 3, 2015 8:16 PM GMT
If you actually learn about halal processes, you will see that genuine halal practitioners take better care of the animals than many of our normal abbatoirs do.

what a crock of shyte
Report mange • February 3, 2015 8:58 PM GMT
upsetting
Report kenny mann • February 3, 2015 9:17 PM GMT
I've been out all day and was going to start a thread on this.

Absolutely fukin disgraceful. How these **** can treat animals like this is beyond me.

That's why I won't eat meat, because of poor creatures suffering like this.

If I knew every animal had a good life and suffered the minimum pain on extinction I might have the odd bacon sarnie but as that will never happen I won't be.

If everyone acted the same there'd be no more animal suffering but most people don't care.
Report Eeternaloptimist • February 3, 2015 10:45 PM GMT
Although I don't put a label on it as such I'd say pretty much Stewarty as I don't eat dairy products. The residual desires I have from when I did eat meat many years ago is perfectly adequately satisfied by non meat products like Quorn etc which have improved immeasurably over the years. I don't disapprove of people eating meat and will cook meat for family members if they visit but it has to have been reared and dispatched humanely. I think that's the least we owe them.
Report kenny mann • February 3, 2015 11:02 PM GMT
The Quorn pasties are delicious. I can't get enough of them. 2 for £2 at Iceland I pay.
Report Ivor • February 3, 2015 11:56 PM GMT
That's all well and good but totally overlooks the misery caused by the short lifespan and dreadful mistreatment of the fungus you are now consuming!
Report kenny mann • February 4, 2015 12:26 AM GMT
ffs young man!
Report Ivor • February 4, 2015 12:40 AM GMT
..and anyway, there's sheep abuse - amd there's sheep abuse :two wooly different activities.
Report Ivor • February 4, 2015 12:41 AM GMT
'wholly'
Report bix • February 4, 2015 9:20 AM GMT
So why are Jewish and Muslim communities exempt from UK legal requirements to stun animals before slaughter?
The law of the country should surely apply to all residents whether they agree with it or not.
According to a recent Tv programme we also have about 80 sharia courts operating in the UK applying sharia law to UK citizens.
Report minardi • February 4, 2015 9:33 AM GMT
Ivor I thought your post was a clever play on words - you went and spoilt it by correcting yourself
Report Eeternaloptimist • February 4, 2015 10:10 AM GMT
We can only bow to a man from Wales on all things sheep related Ivor. Laugh
Report blackbarn • February 4, 2015 10:55 AM GMT
bix - for right or wrong, and whatever you think about them, there are lots of exemptions from British Law for religious and cultural reasons.   The Scottish Sgean or Dirk is the example often trotted out but their are dozens.
Report blackbarn • February 4, 2015 10:57 AM GMT
oh, and Crash Helmets for Sikhs,  or rather not in this case.
Report flushgordon1 • February 4, 2015 11:03 AM GMT
Yer wouldn't want to bow in front of ivor.
Report akabula • February 4, 2015 11:09 AM GMT
The first port of call should be to the owners and management.
Start jailing them for allowing the cruelty in the first place.
Management should know what's going on and if they don't then they aren't doing there jobs properly.
The owners should make sure that their business is law abiding like every other business.
The real problem is that we don't treat animal cruelty serious enough in the courts and very few people are jailed for it.
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