Hundreds of Conscious Chickens Drowned in Scalding Water at Tyson Slaughterhouse; PETA Seeks Criminal Probe

For Immediate Release:
May 12, 2026

Contact:
Sara Groves 202-483-7382

A disturbing, just-released U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) report reveals that hundreds of fully conscious chickens drowned in scalding hot water at a Tyson Foods slaughterhouse in Nashville. In response, PETA today sent a letter to Ninth West Judicial District Prosecuting Attorney Jana Bradford urging her to investigate and file appropriate criminal charges against Tyson Foods Inc. and/or the individual(s) responsible for the birds’ agonizing deaths.

According to the report, on December 22, a federal inspector found four “large” water tanks “filled” with the remains of chickens who had not been effectively cut across the neck and bled to death before being plunged alive into scalding hot water. Further investigation revealed that the slaughterhouse’s gas-stunning system wasn’t working properly, resulting in conscious birds being hung up on the assembly line for slaughter. An alternative stunning system using electrified water was also not operating, and no employee had bothered to confirm whether it was functioning. The lone employee responsible for cutting the birds’ necks was unable to keep up with the fast-moving line but allowed it to continue forward for several minutes. As a result, at least 265 chickens were plunged alive and conscious into the water, where they drowned.

“After a life of misery in a dark, filthy shed and a terrifying journey to the slaughterhouse, these chickens spent their last moments in excruciating torment as their lungs filled with scalding hot water,” says PETA Vice President of Legal Advocacy Daniel Paden. “PETA is calling for a criminal investigation on behalf of these chickens and urges everyone to help prevent animals from suffering in slaughterhouses by please going vegan.”

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 chicken 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 Bradford follows.

May 12, 2026

The Honorable Jana Bradford

Prosecuting Attorney

Ninth West Judicial District

Dear Ms. Bradford:

I’m writing to request that your office (and a law-enforcement agency, as necessary) file applicable criminal charges against Tyson Foods Inc. and/or the individual(s) responsible for allowing hundreds of conscious chickens to drown in scalding-hot water at 100 E. Cassady St. in Nashville.

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 December 22, 2025, an FSIS inspector found four “large” tanks at the above address “filled” with the remains of chickens who had not been effectively cut across the neck and bled to death—as expected—before being plunged alive into scalding-hot water.

Upon further investigation, FSIS personnel determined that Tyson Foods’ system used to stun chickens with gas prior to slaughter “was not working at optimal capacity,” resulting in conscious birds being hung up for slaughter. An alternative stunning system—using electrified water—“did not operate when turned on,” and no Tyson Foods staff “checked its function.” Furthermore, Tyson Foods staff did not adjust a machine to cut chickens’ necks following any attempted stunning.

As a result, numerous chickens were fully conscious—and uncut—when they approached the single Tyson Foods worker responsible for slashing these animals’ necks. The worker “could not keep up with” that task and “did not stop the line for several minutes, thereby allowing multiple” animals to be plunged alive—and conscious—into hot water, where they drowned [emphasis added]. Nearly 1,700 pounds of chicken flesh—that of at least 265 animals—was condemned as a result.

Please note that FSIS’ 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 Arkansas Code § 5-62-103. Arkansas law affords these hundreds of victims their only chance at a small measure of legal recognition. We urge your office to seek it. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

Daniel Paden

Vice President of Legal Advocacy

cc:       Amy Marion, Chief of Police, Nashville Police Department