In a lengthy and in-depth investigation conducted in
October 2012, Animals' Angels documented
conditions at Bouvry Exports' various locations in the US and Canada.
Investigators alternated between locations throughout this investigation to
document as much as possible. Due to the sheer length of time this
investigation encompassed, we have merely summarized the investigation in
this newsletter, but we encourage you to read the full report for detailed
day to day information.
Bouvry Exports operates one of the
largest horse slaughter plants in Canada approved to export horse
meat to the EU. Bouvry Exports owns about 2000 acres of land near Fort
Macleod, where they fatten US and Canadian horses in large feedlots. The
company also leases property from the Peigan Indian Reservation near
Summerview, where they are allowed to keep up to 4,500 horses. Additionally,
Bouvry maintains the large "Bar S" feedlot in Shelby,
Montana, which serves as a collecting station for horses bought at auctions
across the US.
Bouvry Exports has in its
possession thousands of horses on any given day which makes providing
appropriate care next to impossible. Observations by Animals' Angels during
this investigation confirm this fact.
We found horses that were neglected and forced to live in
appalling conditions, with no shelter. Our investigators repeatedly observed the following:
- Lack
of shelter in harsh weather conditions with heavy snow and temperatures
as low as 11 degrees
- Horses,
including foals, covered with snow and ice and left to suffer in the
harsh elements
- Crowded
pens
- Hooves
that had not seen care and would therefore make standing and walking
painful
- Obese
and extremely lethargic animals, from gross overfeeding
- Fighting
and distressed horses
- Emaciated
horses
- Horses
in great distress due to medical emergencies with no workers around to
even take notice
Bouvry Exports Slaughter Plant
The first stop in this
investigation was the Bouvry Exports slaughter plant itself. Our
investigators noted that delivery trucks arrive and unload in quick
succession. One truck arrived, unloaded 28 horses, and then left, all in less
than 10 minutes. Fighting between the horses could be observed on the
transport trailer prior to unloading. Horses kept in the paddock directly
next to the slaughterhouse had visible slaughter and auction tags. Although
there was water and feed available, there was no shelter.
Investigators spent several days trailing trucks from
surrounding auctions and the US feedlot to the plant. Based on information
gathered from trailing vehicles as well as USDA documents obtained by
Animals' Angels, it became clear that Bouvry has a large network of buyers
acquiring horses for him all across the US as well as Canada, securing a
steady supply for his plant.
Feedlots
Bouvry Exports maintains numerous
feedlots. The majority of horses observed were Belgium and Percheron draft
horses. Several of the holding pens, especially at the Shelby feedlot in
Montana and the Prime Feedlot in Granum were overcrowded. Aggressive
horses were seen biting others, a behaviour some horses can develop in
crowded conditions.
Most of the horses were tremendously
overweight, having been fattened prior to slaughter. They were eating or
lying on the ground lethargically. They didn't even lift their heads
when other horses walked by or were fighting next to them, which is very
unusual behaviour. Only their breathing showed they were still alive.
As our investigation progressed, the weather took a severe
turn. It snowed heavily with high winds and the temperature dropped to 11
degrees. There was absolutely no shelter protecting the horses from the
snow, wind or freezing temperatures. They were left to endure the harsh
elements.
A good many of the horses had
neglected hooves which evidenced a complete lack of farrier care. One horse
could be seen with an open wound just above the hoof. Another horse was found
down and apparently sick. Blood was visible around his anus. He was
able to lift his head, but did not have the energy to stand.
Given the number of horses contained in the feedlots, it is
likely that injuries & sicknesses often go unnoticed and untreated. It
would be extremely difficult if not impossible for anyone to adequately
maintain proper care for so many horses.
One incident in particular needs to be highlighted as it raises
grave concerns for the whole:
A mare had tried to give birth,
however, the foal had come out head first instead of legs first and it died
in mid-birth with only the head emerging from the mare. When
investigators found her, she was already very weak and unable to rise. The
foal was still lodged inside of her and a steady stream of blood was
dripping from her teats. The surrounding horses nudged at her and the head of
the dead foal. At this heart breaking scene, the investigators made the
decision to call the local SPCA to get much needed help for the suffering
mare.
It took over an hour for the SPCA
officer to arrive and during this time the mare continued to endure what had
to be pure agony. It was heart wrenching even for seasoned investigators to
witness such a horrendous sight. However, much to our investigator's
disbelief, the presence of the SPCA officer brought no relief to the
mare's suffering as apparently there were no plans to euthanize her nor was a
vet brought in to attend her. The SPCA officer only briefly looked at her,
spoke to some workers and then left the scene.
Indeed, our investigators had to
interrupt the friendly, laughing conversation between the SPCA officer and a
Bouvry worker to inquire as to the mare's condition. To see such a
conciliatory manner between the Bouvry workers and the SPCA officer is
disconcerting to say the least. It was obvious that the SPCA officer failed
in his duty that day as he should have remained with the mare to
ensure that she would receive humane and appropriate treatment. Leaving her
in the care of Bouvry's workers and without a veterinarian is not
responsible.
Pastures with Mares and Foals
In addition to the feedlots, Bouvry
Exports maintains vast pastures with mares and foals. Although there was shelter
at one pasture, it wasn't large enough for all of the horses present.
Dominant mares will fight aggressively for shelter and keep weaker mares and
especially foals out. The foals observed were very young and many were lying
down. However, one foal did not move even when approached, with only his
breathing to indicate he was alive at all. Several of the mares were thin and
their ribs were showing. One extremely emaciated mare was found,
however, she disappeared the following day.
When the temperatures dropped and
heavy snow began to fall, the mares gathered around the foals in an attempt
to protect them from the heavy snow and ice build-up that was obvious on all
of the horses. The foals were a sad sight as their coats were caked with snow
and ice. The young foals were clearly suffering greatly from the extreme
temperatures and weather. To add to the cruelty, there was a large empty barn
just outside the holding area but as it was fenced off, the horses could not
reach it. Of grave concern is the fact that temperatures in this area can and
do drop to as low as -15 degrees making it questionable if all of these
foals will even survive the winter. Sadly, without adequate shelter, many
will likely succumb to such harsh temperatures.
Bouvry Exports is a vast
slaughter empire built squarely on the backs of horses. The conditions
observed by Animals' Angels investigators over the course of this intensive
investigation show a consistent lack of even the most basic care. Of equal
concern is the witnessed attitude of local SPCA staff towards Bouvry.
Animals' Angels will use the evidence gathered during this investigation
for our 2013 consumer awareness campaign in Europe. We will keep you updated
on the progress. Please also continue to contact your representatives and let
them know how you feel about the plight of our horses. There is strength in
numbers, so encourage your family and friends to do the same.
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