Perdue refutes allegations made by animal rights group

Claims by animal rights groups that the involuntary wing flapping by birds on the processing line at it the company’s Showell, Md., processing plant is evidence of animal cruelty are without basis.

“The motion observed by an activist who worked for two weeks at the plant is an involuntary muscle reaction that normally occurs after death,” stated Bruce Stewart-Brown, Vice President of Quality and Food Safety and a board-certified veterinarian specializing in poultry.

That statement was confirmed by Sarge Bilgili, DVM, PhD, an internationally recognized poultry expert, who stated: “Following loss of consciousness, the uncoordinated muscular activity and wing activity are involuntary in nature.”

“We take any allegation of animal cruelty seriously, no matter who makes the claim,” said Dr. Stewart-Brown. “As part of our standard procedure, we responded to the activist’s complaints by conducting an investigation at our Showell plant, including interviewing all plant associates who handle live birds. There is no evidence to indicate that anyone did anything to intentionally harm chickens.”