Springdale-based Tyson Foods is again the target of animal maltreatment claims raised by the animal rights group Mercy for Animals (MFA). The activist group said it has turned over sworn affidavits to a local Justice Court in Leake Co., Miss., implicating Tyson and six plant workers on video mishandling chickens.
An undercover investigator shot the video while working in the Tyson Foods plant. The evidence shows workers caught on tape violently punching, throwing and torturing animals for fun over a six week period beginning Sept. 10.
“We’re appalled by the actions shown in this video and have been investigating a claim of animal mistreatment in this area of the plant since late last week. We have already terminated two of the workers shown in the video, who were clearly in violation of the company’s animal handling policy,” said Tyson Foods spokesman Gary Mickelson. “Mercy for Animals has reportedly submitted a misdemeanor complaint with county officials over this matter, however, to our knowledge no criminal charges have been filed by any government agency."
Tyson Foods also said that proper animal handing is an important moral and ethical obligation which it takes seriously.
"Everyone who works with live animals in our plants – including the person who secretly shot this video – is trained in proper animal handling and instructed to immediately report anything they believe is inappropriate. Workers are encouraged to report bad behavior to their supervisor as well as the Tyson Foods compliance and ethics hotline,” said Mickelson.
The local judge assigned to the case will review the affidavits and determine whether to issue a summons to the company and the poultry workers and bring the case to trial with the county’s prosecutor acting on behalf of the state.