Assembly Unanimously Approves Bill Strengthening California’s Protection for Crippled Cows

SACRAMENTO —  In the wake of an investigation by The Humane Society of the United States of the Hallmark/Westland Meat Company in Chino, California lawmakers approved legislation to strengthen the state’s food safety and humane slaughter laws. A.B. 2098, introduced by Assemblymember Paul Krekorian (D-43rd), passed the Assembly unanimously yesterday.

A.B. 2098 strengthens California’s current law protecting downed animals by prohibiting slaughterhouses, stockyards, auctions, or dealers from buying, selling, or receiving downed animals and also prohibiting slaughterhouses from butchering or processing any downed animals. The Humane Society of the United States praised the action by the Assembly, and urged the Senate to follow suit and send the bill on to Gov. Schwarzenegger for signature.

“The Humane Society of the United States’ shocking investigation into the torment of sick and crippled cows at a Chino slaughter plant jolted the American conscience, and California lawmakers are right to act swiftly to protect animal welfare and food safety,” said Michael Markarian, executive vice president of The HSUS.

In April, HSUS President and CEO Wayne Pacelle testified before the California State Assembly’s Committee on Public Safety about The HSUS’s undercover investigation of the Hallmark/Westland Meat Packing Co. in Chino, which led to the largest meat recall in U.S. history. The HSUS documented the abuse of “spent” dairy cows slaughtered at the plant, and workers who kicked them, hit them with electric prods, rammed them with forklifts, and even used water pressure to try to force the animals to stand. Much of the meat produced there was served to school children through the National School Lunch Program.

Michael Ramos, the San Bernardino County District Attorney, who pursued animal cruelty charges against two employees of the Hallmark/Westland plant, also testified at the hearing. One of the employees has pleaded guilty to illegally moving a non-ambulatory animal.

The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization — backed by 10.5 million Americans, or one of every 30. For more than a half-century, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education and hands-on programs. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty — On the web at humanesociety.org.