080116 Tyson Investigates PETA Claims of Poultry AbuseJanuary 21, 2007Springdale, AR -Tyson Foods Inc. is investigating claims of animal abuse and human waste at two of its poultry plants after an animal rights group claimed it had undercover video footage. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals posted the video on the Internet and submitted more footage along with detailed complaints to prosecutors in Georgia and Tennessee. Tyson said Thursday its internal Office of Animal Well-Being was investigating the allegations and was cooperating with an investigation by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. PETA said its operative worked undercover last year at the plants in Cumming, Ga., and Union City, Tenn. The group said abuses documented on video included chickens being cut but not killed by automated knives, having their heads pulled off while still alive and being slaughtered while conscious rather than stunned after an electric bath failed. The group also alleged that workers urinated in a hanger where live chickens were kept before slaughter. In Tennessee, the prosecutor responsible for Obion County said he asked Union City police to investigate if there was a violation of a state misdemeanor statute against animal cruelty. District Attorney General Tommy Thomas also said he had notified the USDA of PETA's complaint.
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