Source: Rita Jane Gabbett, MEATINGPLACE, 12/29/11

Law enforcement officials raided a Butterball semen collection facility in Shannon, N.C. on Thursday after a video shot by the group Mercy for Animals (MFA) showed workers kicking, throwing, beating and dragging turkeys, according to a report on the group’s website.

The footage was taken secretly over a three-week period ending in mid-December, after which the group filed a complaint with the Hoke County District Attorney.

“Following the investigation, MFA immediately went to law enforcement with extensive video footage and a detailed legal complaint outlining the routine violence and cruelty documented by the investigator at this Butterball facility. On Thursday, December 29, state law enforcement officials obtained a warrant and raided the facility on grounds of cruelty to animals,” the group stated on its website.

"Turkeys are fully capable of feeling pain, fear, stress and of suffering, and the way they are treated in the video is clearly abusive," the group quoted Sara Shields, research scientist, poultry specialist and consultant in animal welfare, as saying.

MFA promotes a vegan diet, saying on its website, “While MFA works to expose and end animal abuse at Butterball and other giants of the meat, dairy and egg industry, consumers can help prevent the needless suffering of turkeys and other animals by adopting a compassionate vegan diet.”

Butterball response
Butterball issued the following statement:
At Butterball, LLC, our number one priority is to provide for the health and well being of our birds in order to produce safe and nutritious product for consumers.

We are currently working with Hoke County government officials regarding allegations of animal cruelty at a farm in North Carolina. Butterball takes these allegations very seriously and fully supports the efforts being made on the part of officials.

Butterball has a zero tolerance policy for any mistreatment of our birds or the failure to immediately report mistreatment of our birds by any associates. We are performing extensive internal and third-party audits as part of our own investigation. Employees found in violation of Butterball’s animal welfare policies will be subject to immediate termination.

Animal welfare is central to Butterball, and we are committed to the highest standards to ensure that all turkeys processed for consumption are treated in a humane manner. Animal welfare programs in place within our company cover all aspects of growing, loading, transporting and processing birds. All associates are trained as to proper handling and care of the birds and have signed a statement saying that they will report any abuse observed; failure to report abuse is in violation of company policy.

Butterball animal welfare programs go through stringent internal audits and are audited yearly by the Agricultural Marketing Service, a division of the United States Department of Agriculture. Additionally, we have six veterinarians on staff who continuously work to assure the health and well being of the birds.
Garner, N.C.-based Butterball is the largest producer of turkey products in the United States. From six plants, the company produces 1 billion pounds of turkey each year and ships products to over 50 countries.