Calls for change after allegations of animal cruelty
RALEIGH (WTVD) -- An animal rights group has released a video from inside a North Carolina chicken plant depicting - what they call - animal cruelty. Mercy For Animals admits the what is depicted is not illegal, which is why they say the want industry standards changed.
The video was captured inside Wayne Farms in Dobson, North Carolina. The company's products go to some of the country's major restaurant chains.
Mercy For Animals says the animals at the plant are conscious and feel pain when they're processed the way they are, so they want Wayne Farms and others to adopt different methods - like gassing.
"I think breaking animals' bones, slamming them upside down in their shackles, shocking their bodies with electricity, cutting their throats open while they're conscious and they can feel pain, this is undoubtedly cruel," said Matt Rice with Mercy For Animals.
However, Wayne Farms says they're following all guidelines.
"We take all these reports seriously," Frank Singleton with Wayne Farms said. "When we first saw the footage, we actually decided we'd have a recognized third-party expert review the footage and the auditor of the footage determined that no animal abuse occurred."
Mercy For Animals says they are hoping the laws will change to protect poultry.
Undercover video - like the one Mercy For Animals showed - almost became illegal in North Carolina, but the legislation failed in the General Assembly last year.
