| New Holland Auction, PA |
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 Animals' Angels investigators returned to New Holland Auction in Pennsylvania on February 2nd. Among the dairy cows being sold for slaughter was a Holstein in the back of the pen with a severe injury to the hind foot and leg. Unable to bear weight on the leg, she was in obvious pain. Her condition should have prevented employees from accepting her.
 Conditions for the cow could have gotten a lot worse. In the experience of Animals' Angels investigators, once auctioned a cow in her condition would very likely be trampled to death during transport. Investigators contacted the humane officer and the auction manager, recommending that the suffering animal be euthanized, which was done immediately. The incident shows the need for better supervision of employees during unloading, as well as the need for the auction veterinarian to be more proactive in the timely euthanasia of suffering animals.
Animals' Angels is working to determine who brought the cow in such deplorable condition to market and the information about the incident is being forwarded to the District Attorney.
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Canada tightens regulations for slaughter horses | |
In November 2009, Animals' Angels shared evidence of inhumane treatment collected during investigations at the horse slaughter plants in Mexico and Canada with members of the EU Commission.
EU officials appeared to be quite disconcerted by the documentation of horses' gruesome treatment. However, the discussion soon shifted to concerns over drug residues in horse meat.
We were informed that the EU is currently evaluating options with both Mexico and Canada and that the use of "sworn statements" to increase traceability of slaughter horses is being considered.
 The Canadian Food Inspection Agency was the first to respond to the pressure from the European Union.
Effective July 31, 2010, all horses slaughtered at CFIA inspected facilities in Canada must have documentation of all illness and medications received for the six months preceding slaughter.
For this purpose, CFIA published a template called "Equine Information Document" (EID) on their website, which must be completed no later than at the time a horse is sold. The EID also requires a signed declaration or affidavit by the owner of the horse that the information given in the EID is accurate.
However, the horses will be owned by "kill buyers" at the time such affidavits are submitted at the slaughter plant. The authenticity of these documents will rely upon these buyers who have significant vested interests and economic incentives to declare the horses free of carcinogenic or toxic medications.
Therefore the EID in our view requires further development. Additionally, true accountability for the welfare of horses is critical and should be central to these first steps towards bringing Canada into compliance with European Union standards.
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| Sugarcreek Auction, OH |
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 At the January 22nd auction at Sugar Creek investigators observed two incidences that were outside the law, one of which needlessly put horses at serious risk and one of which resulted in a horse dying.
Upon arrival, Animals' Angels investigators found an otherwise healthy looking horse lying dead in the parking lot.This auction is well-known for its employees' cruel handling of the horses and is frequented each week by two major horse slaughter "kill buyers."
In the pen area, investigators observed as the typically rough, untrained workers used long wooden poles to hit and poke horses with great force, whacking them senselessly on the backside even when they wanted the horses to go in the opposite direction. Eventually this caused horses to rush forward, knocking down a closed gate. One horse escaped while a draft horse went down, its legs thoroughly wedged in the gate. The Amish workers stood by and watched as the frantic horse whirled its legs at great speed for several minutes until it was finally able to get up, though with one leg still entangled in the gate. It took several more minutes to disengage the horse's leg.
By luck the horse did not appear to be injured (though the auction veterinarian was never observed checking the horse), nor was the horse trampled during the sustained uproar. However, the workers' unnecessary and cruel handling of the horses is a violation of Ohio law [statute 959.13].
 The other situation had a less positive outcome. An emaciated mare, tag # 739, went through the auction unsold. Fortunately, an Ohio rescue was able to take the mare and their vet treated her for shock and colic. Rescuers stayed with her through the night but by morning her condition had deteriorated. The veterinarian recommended humane euthanasia.
It is a crime in Ohio to allow a horse to get in this condition and not provide "a sufficient quantity of good wholesome food and water." Upon receiving the mare, Sugarcreek Auction should have called law enforcement but did not. The Sugarcreek vet who performed a Coggins test after her arrival should have called law enforcement but did not.
Investigators contacted the local humane society and were told that their humane officers would no longer respond to calls regarding Sugarcreek Auction. As a result the criminally negligent owner of the little emaciated mare is at this point unaccountable for abuse and neglect.
It is unacceptable to Animals' Angels that at Sugarcreek Auction well documented and numerous egregious violations to animal cruelty laws continue to go on unprosecuted. Animals' Angels is now working determently to pressure those involved to step up and enforce the laws. | |
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| In This Issue |
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New Holland Auction
News from Canada
Sugarcreek Auction |
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| Our Mission |
| Animals' Angels works to improve conditions for farm animals. We closely cooperate with law enforcement and government agencies to fight animal cruelty. Our investigators are out in the field nationwide, visiting auctions, feedlots and slaughter plants. |
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