Poultry processor takes action after a PETA video shows animal cruelty
at one of its facilities
July 21, 2004: 7:32 PM EDT
DENVER (Reuters) - Poultry processor Pilgrim's Pride said Wednesday it
fired 11 employees at its Moorfield, West Virginia, facility after a
video from animal rights group PETA showed cruelty to chickens.
The company said it dismissed one superintendent, one supervisor, one
foreman and eight hourly employees following an investigation it began
on Tuesday after People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA)
released the video.
The tape showed workers at a West Virginia Pilgrim's Pride plant
ripping off birds' beaks, spitting tobacco into their mouths and eyes
and kicking live chickens.
"While we are making considerable progress with our investigation, we
will continue with this investigation until we're confident that every
employee -- regardless of rank -- who had knowledge of these incidents
has been held accountable for their actions," O. B. Goolsby, president
and chief operating officer said in a statement.
The company supplies KFC, the fast-food chicken chain owned by Yum
Brands Inc. (YUM: Research, Estimates).
The Pittsburgh, Texas-based company also said it has placed monitors
at the plant.
