West Columbia Plant Faces Legal Heat Over Chicken Cruelty Claims
West Columbia is buzzing with concern as a prominent animal rights group, PETA, is taking a stand against the local House of Raeford Farms chicken processing plant. In a formal request on November 20, PETA has urged the Lexington County solicitor to investigate and potentially prosecute the plant following distressing reports of animal neglect.
Chickens Left to Suffer
The request stems from a shocking incident reported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which revealed that 322 chickens tragically perished on a truck outside the West Columbia facility on May 8. The timing couldn’t be worse, as temperatures soared to a sweltering 90 degrees that day. According to the USDA, these unfortunate birds were left on delivery trucks long after slaughter operations ceased, leading to fears of “heat exhaustion.” A USDA inspector expressed grave concern to a House of Raeford manager, noting the suffering of the live chickens left without care.
PETA emphasized the gravity of this situation in their letter, arguing that these birds “died slowly in terror and agony” due to what they termed the company’s “gross incompetence.” They are now appealing for legal action on the grounds of state laws that prohibit the inhumane treatment of animals during transport, despite a loophole that excludes birds from broader anti-cruelty laws.
A Call for Accountability
PETA’s Vice President of Legal Advocacy Daniel Paden did not hold back, stating, “We urge your office to seek it.” He pointed out that while the state’s anti-cruelty statute is filled with absurd exemptions, this particular law offers a glimmer of hope for justice for the 322 chickens who suffered in their final moments.
Company Responds
House of Raeford Farms has responded to the allegations through spokesperson Dave Witter, who acknowledged the incident but emphasized that the cause of death for the birds is still under investigation. Witter stated that while they strive to protect the welfare of all chickens, unfortunate circumstances, such as this, sometimes occur. “It is not known positively from USDA reports or our own observations that the birds in question died from heat exhaustion,” he explained, highlighting the company’s commitment to preventing such losses.
Previous Allegations and Ongoing Concerns
This isn’t the first time House of Raeford Farms has been in the spotlight for troubling reasons. PETA has previously criticized the company for a series of incidents, including a shocking 2020 report where live chickens were mistakenly placed into a scalder due to an employee’s momentary lapse. Furthermore, the fires that struck chicken trucks in other locations, leading to the loss of over 1,300 birds, have also raised alarms about the overall operational practices of the company.
Moreover, the West Columbia plant has been on shaky ground for years amid ongoing complaints from local residents. As redevelopment initiatives for the vacant shopping center across the road gain momentum, the facility’s future has increasingly come into question.
What’s Next?
The Lexington County solicitor’s office, which had not received PETA’s letter as of November 21, is poised to take a careful look at the allegations once they arrive. Chief Deputy Solicitor Al Eargle mentioned that they would thoroughly review the situation to ascertain whether prosecutorial merit exists.
As the story develops, many will be watching closely to see if justice will be served for these animals that sadly lost their lives under distressing circumstances. Whether the outcome will lead to significant changes in animal welfare practices remains to be seen, but it’s clear that this issue has sparked a passionate conversation in our community.
