PlusGroup Says Abuses of Downed Cattle PersistGroup Says Abuses of Downed Cattle PersistThe Associated PressThe Humane Society has released new video showing alleged abuse of so-called downer cows in New Mexico. Warning, some viewers may find this video disturbing. (June 25)[Notes:please have a second person voice the warning] A warning: the following AP video features content that is graphic in nature.----------SOT: nats A dairy cow is repeatedly kicked in the head by a auction worker SOT; nats Another dragged by a chain. It's video that's perhaps made more disturbing when underscored by the conversation around it.SOT: you get a lot of dead ones, oh yeah. they come in dead -- no they die here. In the wake of prominent cases already this year -- Humane Society officials were hoping abuses like these would stop. But, the group says this latest tape from New Mexico proves, it hasn't .. SOT: we had hoped the industry would have responded to the concerns raised, and taken care of the problem of downer animals. [Notes:video provided by the Humane Society]The video was shot by an undercover investigator at the Portales Livestock Auction . There, the group says these animals were tormented to get them into an auction ring. Some have broken bones, another a gouged out eye, others just too weak to stand. SOT: these repeated and systemic problems turn my stomach, and they should turn the stomach of every American. The owner of the Portales facility says there are strict policies in place to prevent abuse. The owner also says that he's certain no downer cow went into a food supply. Humane society investigators have gone undercover at six locations to document alleged abuses. [Notes:file video] It was the slaughter of downed cows at the Hallmark -Westland plant in Chino, California that prompted a national meat recall and put that company out of business. SOT: all animals deserve humane treatment, include those raised for food. And these abuses in the United States must be stopped. The group is asking the Department of Agriculture for a series of strict new rules regarding downed cattle. ___ ___, The Associated Press. Author: AssociatedPress Keywords: downer cows group says abuses downed cattle persist Added: June 25, 2008
