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Canadian Slaughterhouse Accused Of Mistreating Horses

FORT MACLEOD, Alta. (CP) — RCMP are investigating conditions at an Alberta slaughterhouse after animal welfare activists were sent a video they say shows horses being shot and then left suffering for long periods of time before being killed. But an industry group says, while the treatment of the horses in the video is deplorable, it's unlikely it was shot at the slaughterhouse in question at the time the activists claim.

FORT MACLEOD, Alta. (CP) — RCMP are investigating conditions at an Alberta slaughterhouse after animal welfare activists were sent a video they say shows horses being shot and then left suffering for long periods of time before being killed.

But an industry group says, while the treatment of the horses in the video is deplorable, it's unlikely it was shot at the slaughterhouse in question at the time the activists claim.

Sgt. Patrick Webb said officers received a complaint about a Bouvry Exports slaughterhouse in Fort MacLeod three weeks ago.

"I can confirm we're investigating a complaint of abuse to animals at that slaughterhouse," he said Thursday. "It's still under investigation, obviously no charges (have been laid), we're still looking at it."

The Canadian Horse Defence Coalition first raised concerns about conditions at the slaughterhouse last month.

The video "shows horses that are shot and hoisted while fully conscious, and workers fail to kill the horses with the first rifle shot, and then they turn around and do something else, go reload," said Sinikka Crosland, the group's executive director.

"They're often being shot in the wrong part of the head and being left suffering for a prolonged period of time."

A man who answered the phone at Bouvry Exports said that members of the SPCA are welcome to come to see conditions at the slaughterhouse.

"These people have an agenda and that's where it stands," he said, before refusing to give his name and hanging up the phone.

The horse coalition says veterinarians who have watched the video say it shows horses who still exhibit signs of being conscious suspended by one leg and bleeding to death from slits to their necks over the course of a minute.

"It's plain to see that animals are being subjected to unnecessary suffering," said Crosland.

Crosland said the group was sent the video anonymously. It was dated February 19, 2010. To verify that it was taken at the Bouvry Exports slaughterhouse, the group got the song logs of the local radio station and matched them to songs that can be heard on the tape.

Bill desBarres of the Horse Welfare Alliance of Canada, an industry group that lists Bouvary Exports as a partner, said horses were not processed at the slaughterhouse on the date shown on the video.

Also, horses in February in Alberta would have a thick winter coat while the animals on the tape are glossy, he said.

"It's time that (the Canadian Horse Defence Coalition) was investigated and this information — propaganda that is questionably sourced — needs to be answered to."

He said someone from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency is on site every time a slaughterhouse is operating.

"That kind of performance, that kind of inhumane handling, is unacceptable and the plant, I suggest, would have been shut down by the CFIA inspector if that was taking place."

The CFIA is aware of the allegations about the slaughterhouse, spokesman Guy Gravelle said in an email.

"The agency is validating and investigating the allegations presented in the video, and actions will be taken to ensure vigilance and respect with regards to appropriate duty of care and humane treatment of animals."

Much of Canada's horsemeat is exported to Europe and Japan, where it's considered a delicacy.

The horsemeat industry in Canada has grown since the United States banned horse slaughterhouses in 2007. According to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, 111,236 horses were slaughtered in federally and provincially inspected abattoirs in 2008.

Webb said police investigate every complaint they receive. He couldn't give an idea of how long it would take to investigate the slaughterhouse, but said such investigations are rare.

"There's very specific regulations that cover slaughterhouses versus individuals. Some things can be done in slaughterhouses — you and I can't take a horse out and shoot it, but maybe they're allowed to do it in a slaughterhouse," he said.

Crosland said the videos were posted to YouTube and received more than 20,000 views before they were taken down. She said her organization has fielded a huge number of calls and letters from people who are outraged at what they see.

She added that there's no humane way to kill horses in a slaughterhouse because they are highly intelligent animals that are easy to panic and have a flight instinct.

"We would like to see the slaughterhouses closed down, and we would like to see that charges are pursued against those that were violating animals there," she said.

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