Looks like there’s more to the story of the giant beef recall spurred by a Chino slaughterhouse and packing plant that killed and packed so-called “downer” cows in violation of federal safety standards.
The AP is reporting that police arrested one man Saturday for animal cruelty and illegally moving non-ambulatory animals. A second is wanted on three misdemeanor charges.
Hallmark/Westland pen manager Daniel Ugarte Navarro, 49, was arrested at his house in Pomona. His subordinate, Luis Sanchez, 32, of Chino, remains at large. From the AP, as published by SF Gate:
Both men were fired after the Humane Society of the United States released undercover video showing crippled and sick animals at the slaughterhouse being shoved with forklifts.
Prosecutors are continuing to investigate the slaughterhouse for possible labor violations, Ploghaus said.
Officials with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which announced the recall Sunday of some 143 million pounds of beef products dating to Feb. 1, 2006, were also investigating.
So it’s not just a case of animal cruelty and unsafe food production, it’s potentially a labor issue, too? The two go together, as you’ve no doubt read: Chino will be ours! Chino will be ours!
Massive Beef Recall [MPSF]
Chino meatpacking worker arrested in recall case [SF Gate]
