Illegal, inhumane slaughterhouse shut down
Brampton, ON (CA)

Incident Date: Tuesday, Jul 8, 2003

Disposition: Alleged

Alleged:
» Jack Degroot
» Domenico Vitetta

On July 8, 2003, inspectors with the Ontario SPCA and Compliance Officers from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food entered a north Brampton farm after receiving information that an illegal slaughter operation was taking place on the property in the Region of Peel.

Investigators discovered over 400 live chickens, and approximately 35 dead chickens in what appeared to be an old cattle barn. The birds were being killed by hanging them, taking several minutes to die, causing unnecessary suffering. They were allegedly being slaughtered for various Toronto ethnic markets. "The birds were suffering, and the conditions were completely unsanitary," said Jeremy Locke, a Senior Inspector with the Ontario SPCA.

Jack Degroot, 70, and Domenico Vitetta, 76, both of Milton, face a number of charges. Both are facing cruelty to animal charges under the Criminal Code of Canada for causing unnecessary suffering to birds, four charges relating to the inhumane method of slaughter under the Meat Inspection Act, and one of slaughtering animals without first being inspected by a government inspector. They will appear in Brampton court on September 15 to answer to the charges.

References

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