What kind of human being would mistreat animals? Let's take it a step further. What kind of individual would knowingly allow tainted food to be fed to thousands, perhaps millions, most of which are children?
These individuals unknowingly were videotaped herding sick cattle to be slaughtered and butchered for the use of schools and fast food restaurants. I have several more questions in my mind. How long has this been going on? Have any children or adults suffered from the mismanagement of these cattle? What changes are taking place to ensure that this will not happen again?
Yahoo News shares part of the photo story with us here.
As children, my sister and I spent our summers on our grandparent's dairy farm, which looked much like the picture above. Cows are docile and affectionate animals. Caring for cows is not a difficult job, and they don't often fall ill unless mistreated. The sick and crippled cows at Westland Hallmark were videotaped being shoved and prodded with electric prods when they were unable to stand, shoved with forklifts, and sprayed in the faces with water hoses.
This is a picture of Jose Luis Sanchez, one of the individuals who were arrested during the investigation. Sanchez has been charged with animal abuse along with Daniel Navarro, shown below. Navarro, 49 was arrested Saturday after a video revealed him using fork lifts to shove sick and crippled animals. Navarro worked at the Westland/Hallmark Meat Company as a pen manager, and has since been fired.
Both photos are property of the Chino, California police department, and were taken at their bookings.
This undated image provided by the Chino, Calif., Police Department.
(AP Photo/Chino Police Department, HO)
At least two federal meat inspectors have been suspended, according to Associated Press writer, Gilliam Flaccus in his article released on 2/29/08.
The chairman of the National Joint Council of Food Inspections Locals, Stan Painter advises that Westland/Hallmark Meat Co. has placed a veterinarian and a floor inspector on paid administrative leave.
The USDA recalled 143 million pounds of beef, which launched a series of congressional hearings and investigations into the current practices of the USDA's meat and poultry inspection system. Democratic senators called for a complete ban on the use of downer (sick and crippled) cattle for human consumption because they pose a higher risk of E.coli, salmonella contamination and mad cow disease. “..they typically wallow in feces and their immune systems are often weak” wrote Flaccus.
Rather than ban these cattle for consumption, Agriculture Secretary Edward T. Schafer assures that more random inspections will take place in slaughterhouses along with immediate audits of the 23, Westland/Hallmark Meat Co. included. These slaughterhouses supply meat for federal programs, primarily school lunches. Flaccus advises the reader that there is a national shortage of inspectors of about 10 % or 500. Are they hiring and training new inspectors, or expecting the already overworked inspectors to put in more hours?
Great article Judy..