Last Thursday, PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) reached out to Gibson County Prosecutor, Micheal Cochren, to launch a criminal investigation against Dewig Meats in Haubstadt.
In their letter to Cochren, they referenced two incidents that they believe are examples of inhumane behavior.
The first of the incident took place in October when an employee had to use the electric bolt device, which is used to stun the animals, two times after the cow regained consciousness.
“Well, I do wonder what they were supposed to do if the cow wasn’t unconscious after the first time,” sophomore student Lexi Davis.
The second incident occurred in January of this year when an inspector from the U.S Department of Agriculture reported an employee shooting the cow three times before it was killed.
The USDA left Dewig Meats a notice of suspension because a consumer safety inspector saw an employee stun cow in preparation to be slaughtered and the cow was hoisted and shackled while still conscious. Dewigs violated the Federal Meat Inspection Act and the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act.
“I think that PETA needs to realize that Dewigs is a butcher shop and there are going to be mistakes,” said sophomore Olivia Toler. “The process of killing animals is never going to be easy, but it is a necessary thing that needs to happen to give food to Gibson County.”
On the day of the second incident, Dewigs tried to correct their actions by saying they would retrain employees and monitor them closely. The USDA accepted Dewigs’ corrective measures instantly and placed the suspension on hold.
On Monday, Cochren said he would no longer investigate Dewigs and he will not file any criminal charges