Thirsk slaughterhouse 'attacks' probed by FSA
One man has been sacked and three others at a North Yorkshire slaughterhouse have had their operating licences suspended after hidden cameras filmed alleged mistreatment of animals.
Footage captured by Animal Aid apparently shows sheep being kicked and punched at Bowood Lamb in Thirsk.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) has begun an investigation.
It said there was "no excuse" for how the animals were treated, and said prosecutions could follow.
The slaughterhouse is licensed to kill animals under the halal code, which states that animals are supposed to be killed quickly with a single sweep of a surgically-sharp knife. They should not see the knife before they are slaughtered, or witness the death of other animals.
The law requires abattoirs to stun animals before slaughter to prevent unnecessary suffering, but there are exemptions for Jewish and Muslim producers.
Animal rights group Animal Aid recorded the footage with hidden cameras.
An FSA spokesman confirmed that four slaughtermen had had their licences suspended, meaning they cannot operate as slaughtermen or work with live animals.
The footage apparently shows:
A worker hacking and sawing at animals' throats, in contravention of Islamic practice
Sheep being kicked, lifted by their ears and hurled into solid structures
A worker jumping up and down on a sheep
The animals being frightened by waving knives, smacking and shouting
A worker holding his fist as if to punch the sheep he is holding
More than 4,000 sheep were filmed being killed at Bowood over a three-day period in December.
Kate Fowler, head of campaigns at Animal Aid, said that "vicious attacks on defenceless, frightened animals are inexcusable".
Government-appointed vets are supposed to be on hand in all abattoirs the size of Bowood, but Animal Aid said none was seen during the three days of filming.
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