Animal Aid, an animal rights organization, covertly
filmed inside the Bowood Lamb facility in North Yorkshire last December.
Scenes from the video include graphic footage of sheep being thrown,
kicked, stepped on, and pushed. Against halal law, workers used
incorrect or dull knives to slice through the animals' throats without
killing, leaving the sheep to bleed and suffer. In the background, sheep
can be seen writhing and squirming in the air while hanging upside
down, still conscious. Also, the video shows workers talk and shout
conversationally while animals suffer, some even taunt and mock the
sheep.
Ironically, this particular factory is
supposed
to be held to the Islamic standards of halal. In Arabic, the word
"halal" translates to permissible or lawful. There are strict rules and
regulations in halal that require animal slaughter to be quick and
painless. An Islamic blessing should be recited before cutting the
jugular vein of the animal with a sharp knife. Prior to slaughter,
animals are supposed to be healthy and in good condition.
Screenshot of YouTube video of animal cruelty at UK slaughterhouse
This
isn't the first video
Animal Aid has released showing unsanitary or inhumane conditions at
factories, but it may be the most controversial because of the
slaughterhouse's religious affiliation. "Bowood Film for Public" has
sparked outrage and debate regarding Islamic law, even though the
footage from the video does not comply with the rules of halal. A
statement on the Animal Aid website includes,
[...]
Given the existence of strong anti-Muslim sentiment amongst a section
of the British population, there is a risk that some people will use the
release of our new halal slaughterhouse footage to stir up hatred
rather than to advance the cause of animal protection.
Immediately after the release of this video and the
instantaneous media coverage,
one factory worker was fired and three more lost their operating
licenses. The British Food Standards Agency (BFSA) began investigating
the factory and took action against the four workers. In a
statement, the BFSA said,
The
Food Standards Agency takes animal welfare at abattoirs very seriously
which is why we immediately suspended the licenses of the slaughtermen
involved. There is no excuse for treating animals in the way shown on
the video and we are therefore investigating the footage with a view to
prosecution. We are also continuing to investigate all the circumstances
around the incident to ensure proper safeguards are introduced to stop
this happening in the future.
Filming the illegal actions inside Bowood also involved lawbreaking.
Animal Aid sent an investigator to the slaughterhouse at night to
arrange the hidden cameras, which is considered trespassing, without
consent from the facility's owners and managers. However, no lawsuit has
yet been filed against Animal Aid.
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