CRIMES WITHOUT CONSEQUENCES - gpvec

enforCement of state laWs
penalty of $500 (fine was stayed). In another case involving the use of an ax to stun a
pig, Minnesota sought criminal prosecution under the state humane slaughter law. The
establishment owner pled guilty and was fined $1,000 and placed on probation for a
period of one year. (This was the only instance of criminal prosecution for inhumane
slaughter identified in the United States for the period 2002 through 2004.) In this case
the violation occurred at a custom slaughter establishment and was observed and reported
by a customer, as described below:
On July 16, 2004, the Dairy, Food and Meat Inspection Division of the Minnesota
Department of Agriculture received a telephone call from [names withheld]. [Names
withheld] were calling regarding a pig they purchased from Jeffries Chicken Farm in
Inver Grove Heights. [Names withheld] reported that they wanted to discuss the manner
in which the pig they purchased had been handled prior to slaughter. [Name withheld]
reported that he observed an employee … repeatedly hit the pig they selected over the
head with an axe. They reported that the first blow landed above the pig’s eye, causing
the pig to fall to the ground. They reported that the pig then staggered to his feet and
appeared disoriented and squealed loudly. They reported that [employee] hit the pig in
the same manner 5-6 times, yielding the same reaction from the pig. [Name withheld]
and other family members requested that the hitting stop. [Name withheld] reported that
[the employee] then dragged the pig across the floor, closer to the drain, and slit the
pig’s throat. [Name withheld] reported that the owner of the Jeffries Chicken Farm, John
Jeffries, was present during the entire slaughter process and observed [employee] hitting
the pig. During this time, John Jeffries was observed to slaughter another pig in the same
manner. [Names withheld] reported that they had been at the Jeffries Chicken Farm on
other occasions and observed other animals treated in the same manner. 212
Animals Involved a
Table 23. Summary of State NRs
2002 to 2004
Species # Records
Cattle, calves 19
Hogs, pigs 20
Sheep, goats 5
Rabbits 4
Bison 2
Poultry 2
Not specified 13
212 State of Minnesota (City of Inver Grove Heights) vs. Lee Wayne Pilgrim, Complaint (Exhibit A).
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