Criminal Probe Sought in Case of Cow Repeatedly Electroshocked and Kicked at Otis Slaughterhouse
For Immediate Release:
July 15, 2026
Contact:
Andrew Grant 202-483-7382
A U.S. Department of Agriculture report just obtained by PETA reveals that on March 9, staff at Troudt Meats LLC near Otis electroshocked a cow three times near her anus, and kicked at her nose—even though the facility’s owner and supervisor had been warned not to electroshock animals in that area and an inspector told the worker to stop kicking the cow. In response, PETA sent a letter today to 13th Judicial District Attorney Travis Sides, requesting that he file criminal charges against those responsible.
According to the report, when the federal inspector informed the worker that kicking an animal was not acceptable, the worker nodded and said “OK,” then proceeded to kick at the cow again. The cow was also lassoed around the neck and reared up with her eyes rolled back, foaming at the mouth in a “clear state of distress.”
“A cow already facing a violent and terrifying death suffered even more as she was repeatedly electroshocked and kicked at by a worker who ignored an inspector’s warning to stop,” says PETA Vice President of Legal Advocacy Daniel Paden. “PETA is calling for a criminal investigation and urges everyone to please consider going vegan to help spare other animals from cruelty in slaughterhouses.”
PETA is pursuing charges under state law because federal officials haven’t prosecuted any inspected slaughterhouses for acts of abuse since at least 2007.
PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to eat”—points out that when it comes to the ability to feel pain, hunger, and fear, a cow is a dog is a boy. For more information, please visit PETA.org or follow PETA on X, Facebook, or Instagram.
PETA’s letter to Sides follows.
July 15, 2026
The Honorable Travis Sides
District Attorney
13th Judicial District
Dear Mr. Sides:
I’m writing to request that your office (and a law-enforcement agency, as necessary) file applicable criminal charges against the individual(s) responsible for repeatedly electroshocking and kicking a cow at Troudt Meats LLC, located at 35450 County Rd. 48, near Otis.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) documented the incident in a report that the agency recently made available to the public. (See attachment.) According to the report, on March 9, an FSIS inspector saw a Troudt Meats worker electroshock a cow three times near her anus—an act that the inspector had “previously informed [Troudt Meats’] owner and slaughter supervisor” is unacceptable.
The inspector then saw a Troudt Meats worker attempt to kick the cow in the nose. When the inspector “informed [this suspect] that kicking an animal was not … acceptable,” (s)he “nodded and stated [OK], then proceeded to kick at the [cow] again.” Simultaneously, the cow was lassoed around the neck. Having already been electroshocked in or near the anus and kicked, the cow “reared up, with eyes rolled back,” and was foaming at the mouth “in a clear state of distress.”
Please note that FSIS’s simple narrative of this incident carries no criminal or civil penalties and does not preempt criminal liability under state law for acts of cruelty to animals. The conduct described above appears to violate CO Rev Stat § 18-9-202. Colorado law affords this victim her only chance at a small measure of legal recognition. We urge your office to seek it. Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Colin Henstock
Associate Director of Project Strategy
Cruelty Investigations Department
