Over 1,300 Chickens Die in Bone-Chilling Cold En Route to Local Slaughterhouse; PETA Demands Criminal Probe
For Immediate Release:
April 15, 2025
Contact:
Nicole Perreira 202-483-7382
A shocking U.S. Department of Agriculture report just obtained by PETA reveals that more than 1,300 chickens died on one day after being hauled through rain and bitter cold to the Case Farms slaughterhouse in Paint Township. In response, PETA today sent an urgent letter to Holmes County Prosecuting Attorney Matthew J. Muzic, urging him to investigate and file appropriate criminal charges against those responsible.
According to the report, on November 22, 2024, a federal veterinarian discovered 1,320 chickens had arrived dead at Case Farms after being hauled on trailers that failed to provide the birds even moderate protection from rain, wind, and temperatures that felt as low as 29 degrees. Chickens who survived the journey were noted to be “wet, lethargic, and shivering.”
“More than a thousand chickens died in agony after being exposed to frigid weather, and the traumatized survivors faced the slaughterhouse knife,” says PETA Vice President of Legal Advocacy Daniel Paden. “PETA is calling for a criminal investigation on behalf of these birds and urges everyone to please go vegan to help spare animals a horrific trip to the slaughterhouse.”
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 Every Animal Is Someone and offers free Empathy Kits for people who need a lesson in kindness and free vegan starter kits for anyone thinking of making the switch. For more information, please visit PETA.org or follow PETA on X, Facebook, or Instagram.
PETA’s letter to Muzic follows.
April 15, 2025
The Honorable Matthew J. Muzic
Holmes County Prosecuting Attorney
Dear Mr. Muzic:
I’m writing to request that your office (and a law-enforcement agency, as necessary) investigate and file applicable criminal charges against Case Farms Processing and/or the individuals responsible for the egregious suffering of 1,320 chickens who died in the cold while being hauled last November to 1818 County Rd. 160 in Paint Township. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) documented the incident in reports that the agency recently made available to the public. (See attachment.)
According to the report, on November 22, 2024, an FSIS inspector and a federal veterinarian found eight bins holding numerous chickens who were dead on arrival to Case Farms. The inspector noted that none of the trailers on-site at the time provided animals hauled on them with even moderate protection against the prevailing rain or the “feels like” temperature of 29 degrees with wind gusts of up to 35 mph. The report notes that 1,320 chickens had already died in transit on the first five trailers unloaded at the slaughterhouse.
Furthermore, the FSIS veterinarian and inspector saw that survivors were “wet, lethargic, and shivering.”
Please note that FSIS’ simple report on the matter carries no criminal or civil penalties and does not preempt criminal liability under state law for acts of cruelty to animals. The transport described above appears to violate R.C. § 959.13 (A) (3), which prohibits anyone from carrying or conveying any animal in “a cruel or inhuman manner.”
Ohio law affords these 1,320 victims their only chance at a small measure of justice. We urge your office to seek it.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Daniel Paden
Vice President of Legal Advocacy
