The Humane Society of the United States is issuing the following statement in response to the conviction and sentencing of Christopher Gaudette, who pleaded guilty to aggravated animal cruelty for his role in abusing animals while employed at Bushway Packing Inc., a veal slaughterhouse in Grand Isle, Vt.
“Vermont Attorney General William H. Sorrell has made it clear that his state’s animal protections laws do not stop at the slaughterhouse door, and we congratulate his office for this historic outcome on crimes related to cruelty to farm animals. It is inexcusable that newborn calves were subjected to such horrendous and needless cruelty on their way to their death, and we are pleased that these defenseless animals received some justice in this case,” said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The HSUS.
Charges were filed against Gaudette and Frank Perretta, the plant’s former owner, in Grand Isle County following The Humane Society of the United States’ six-week undercover investigation at Bushway Packing in 2009, which was prompted by complaints about inhumane animal handling there. The slaughterhouse was closed in October 2009, as the USDA conducted a follow-up investigation. As part of their sentencing agreements, both Gaudette and Perretta are prohibited from participating in any animal husbandry or slaughterhouse activity involving live animals, according to a press release from the attorney general’s office.
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