A trip to the abattoir
Posted: Wednesday 12 March, 2014
We took the barren ewe and the tup to the abattoir on Wednesday. We were told to be there at 8am, and it's an hour and a half away so we decided to load them the night before. The trailer was duly bedded with straw, bucket of water and pile of hay - then the two followed a bucket in for the "last supper". Car hitched up ready for a quick getaway in the morning :-)
In the morning, both were lying cudding - we'd kept them together for a couple of weeks so they knew each other. Off we went, on time at 6.30am. Arrived just on 8am; did the paperwork and went to unload them.
What a bloody nightmare :-(. The entrance to the abattoir is dark, so the sheep weren't that keen to go from daylight to dark. Dan and I were pushing them from behind. The slaughterman grabbed the ewe by the neck wool and was dragging her; she dropped to her knees and he kept dragging her along the concrete. Too much for me - I told him in no uncertain terms to stop it and let her get to her feet. Well, the abuse I got - finger pointing in my face and shouting at me. I was really upset; we got the two animals in and went back to the car. I was shaking and crying - and furious. I have complained - time will tell if anything changes. I am concerned about how they were moved after we left - if that's what he's like in front of us, what's it like when we're NOT there. No vet to be seen, btw. Maybe it is time there is CCTV in all abattoirs.
The problem is that we don't have a realistic alternative at the moment. Our butcher deals with this abattoir - I have also spoken with him about the events of Wednesday and he has spoken with the abattoir, so time will tell. I plan to write to the operators explaining the lengths we go to to try to minimise stress - it's not helpful if it's all undone at the end.
Maybe I should send them a copy of Temple Grandin's work :-)
Comments
Kerry
That's shocking behaviour and what is more worrying is that they obviously thought it appropriate as they carried it out in front of you. More worrying is what will happen when no one is watching :(. Think I would have been taking the animals back home again!
Definitely complain.
kelly58
How did you keep so cool, well done you ! Jobs worth bloke.
Kitchen Cottage
I take mine locally. I am so lucky, the staff never change and the man lets me walk them through... horrible to see it but better I stay with them till the end.
I think I'd reload them if that happened :(
Dave Daniels
I would most definately have taken them back home, it's hard enough as it is to send these animals to slaughter, and they deserve dignity and respect!
Also as a "Bloke" i would most likely have retaliated in a different way as this kind of behavious make the rest mist descend! even someone mistreating their dog in the street have to have a "word or two of advise from me so passionate am i about stopping cruelty, distress and ignorance!
sorry, rant over
Dave
Matt Care
What a horrible experience. We all know it happens, but I guess we are fortunate that we have been better treated so far.
doganjo
That's dreadful - don't they realise that stressed animals affect the meat? Kindness costs nothing! Report again if you don't hear anything - SSPCA might also be interested.
jean williams
Our local dead stock collector will cull on site, or for a special animal I would use the vet. I would never take a cull ewe to our local abattoir.(West Wales)
Perhaps it is the very nature of their job that makes many abattoir workers so unconcerned with animals suffering.
Amanda
Would be interested in the response to your letter to Dunblane (if they reply :-(. My butcher complained to them last year and now Dunblane refuse to deliver to him.
ZaktheLad
I would have taken them back home too - what an horrendous ending for them.
thelayman
I live in the Central belt of Scotland and would like to find a reputable abattoir for my livestock. Any info from members would be more than welcome as I am a newbie to the scene. There is no way on Earth that I will accept cruelty to my animals and I will accompany them right up until the end to make sure. @Kitchen Cottage: Where are you based?
Comments are now closed for this post.
Victorian Farmer
Wednesday 12 March, 2014 at 5:33pm
I dont like the way some do it .saterday staff pulling animals along .I was going to going to sort /No respect for the animals .