Sheriff: Perdue Plant's Closure May Complicate Animal Cruelty Investigation

Investigating Closed Perdue Plant Would Be Difficult, Sheriff Says

ANNAPOLIS, Md. -- An investigation into animal cruelty allegations at a Perdue Farms Inc. processing plant may be too difficult to pursue since the plant's closure, according to the Worcester County sheriff.

Sheriff Charles T. Martin and Worcester County State's Attorney Joel Todd have agreed to meet with leaders of Compassion Over Killing, the animal advocacy group accusing Perdue Farms Inc., of animal cruelty after an activist videotaped operations at the now-shuttered plant in Showell.

But in a letter to Compassion Over Killing last month, the sheriff outlined the difficulties of pursuing an investigation into operations at the facility, which closed in early November. Former employees are now likely scattered throughout other Perdue plants, he said.

Plus, he wrote, the closing of the plant halted any animal cruelty that may have been going on there," Martin wrote.

"I doubt that the taxpayers of Worcester County would want their criminal investigation teams to become involved now that the alleged violations have ceased with the plant closing," he wrote.

The animal advocacy group responded with a letter pressing for an investigation and charges. The activist who worked at the plant and videotaped operations there would be willing to testify, the group says.

"There was criminal activity that was taking place," said Paul Shapiro, campaigns director of the nonprofit. "Whether or not it is still taking place in that facility is irrelevant."

Martin said Monday, "It would be a lot of legwork to deal with," adding, "but we're certainly willing to meet with them."

Martin said investigators will have to know the names and be able to find workers shown on the videotape; Compassion Over Killing officials say they're willing to supply the names, although they'd rather see the Perdue corporation face the charges.

The activist who worked at the plant in September filmed videotape showing piles of live chickens being shoved and thrown down a processing line.

The birds' ankles were roughly slid onto shackles, leaving them hanging upside down as their throats are slit. Afterward, the cut birds flap wildly. Dying birds were seen abandoned on a conveyer belt and being piled onto each other in a bin while workers take lunch breaks.

Perdue officials said they saw no intentional cruelty in the videotape, and that the workers afterward were shown how to handle the animals with more care. A veterinarian for the company said the flapping happens because of an involuntary muscle reaction after the birds lose consciousness.

Copyright © 2004 The Associated Press.