Pigs Electroshocked, Kicked in the Face at Adams County Slaughterhouse; PETA Seeks Criminal Probe

For Immediate Release:
March 11, 2026

Contact:
Sara Groves 202-483-7382

A disturbing U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) report just obtained by PETA reveals that a worker at Win-A-Nell Butchering and Meats slaughterhouse outside New Oxford kicked a pig in the face and electroshocked another, causing them to cry out. In response, PETA today sent an urgent letter to Adams County District Attorney Brian Sinnett urging him to investigate and file appropriate criminal charges against the suspect.

According to the report, on March 2, a federal veterinarian saw the employee climb on top of one pig, kick a second pig in the face, and “apply a charged electric prod to the face of the third pig,” all while the pigs were screaming in distress.

“After enduring a terrifying journey to the slaughterhouse, these pigs spent their final moments of life being climbed on, shocked, and kicked before having their throats slashed and their bodies hacked to pieces,” says PETA Vice President of Legal Advocacy Daniel Paden. “PETA is calling for a criminal investigation on behalf of these pigs 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 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 Sinnett follows.

March 11, 2026

The Honorable Brian Sinnett

Adams County District Attorney

Via e-mail

Dear Mr. Sinnett:

I hope this letter finds you well. I would like to request that your office (and the proper local law-enforcement agency, as you deem appropriate) investigate and file suitable criminal charges against the Win-A-Nell Butchering and Meats LLC worker responsible for abusing pigs on March 2 at its slaughterhouse located at 778 Centennial Rd. outside New Oxford. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) documented the incident in the attached report, which states the following:

The DVMO [FSIS District Veterinary Medical Officer] heard the vocalization of hogs coming from the pen area, so she proceeded to the pens. The DVMO observed four (4) market swine, in the stunning area. While attempting to separate three (3) of the swine from the one destined to be stunned, she observed an establishment employee climb on top of one of the pigs, kick another pig in the face, and apply a charged electric prod to the face of the third pig. The hogs were in distress and vocalizing.^[1]

This conduct appears to violate Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes Title 18 § 5533. Importantly, FSIS’ action carries no criminal or civil penalties and does not preempt criminal liability under state law for slaughterhouse workers who perpetrate acts of cruelty to animals.^[2] Given that the FSIS has not initiated a criminal prosecution of a licensed slaughterhouse for inhumane handling since at least 2007, charges under state law are these victims’ only chance at a measure of justice.

Please let us know what we might do to assist you. Thank you for your consideration and for the difficult work that you do.

Sincerely,

Colin Henstock

Associate Director of Project Strategy