Two Chickens Kicked Violently at Hunt County Slaughterhouse; PETA Demands Criminal Probe

For Immediate Release:
April 16, 2025

Contact:
Nicole Perreira 202-483-7382

A just-released U.S. Department of Agriculture report reveals that a worker at Windy Meadows Family Farm near Campbell kicked two chickens “very aggressively,” prompting PETA to send a letter today to Hunt County District Attorney Noble D. Walker, Jr. urging him to investigate and file criminal charges against the man.

According to the report, on October 9, 2024, a federal inspector witnessed the worker kicking a chicken and immediately alerted a supervisor, who then spoke with the perpetrator. And yet, only a few hours later, the inspector saw the same man kicking another chicken “in a similar manner.”

“A chicken suffers the same as a dog or cat would if they were kicked by a heartless human,” says PETA Vice President of Legal Advocacy Daniel Paden. “PETA is calling for a criminal investigation on behalf of these abused birds and urges everyone to please go vegan to spare animals from the horrors of 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 Walker follows.

April 16, 2025

The Honorable Noble D. Walker Jr.

Hunt County District Attorney

Dear Mr. Walker:

I’m writing to request that your office (and a law-enforcement agency, as necessary) investigate and file applicable criminal charges against the Windy Meadows Family Farm employee responsible for kicking chickens “very aggressively” last October at 8045 CR 4209, near Campbell.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) documented the incidents in reports that the agency recently made available to the public. (See attachment.) According to the report, on October 9, 2024, an FSIS inspector saw the suspect “kicking a bird very aggressively.” The inspector “immediately … notified” a Windy Meadows Family Farm manager, who “spoke with the man.” Approximately three hours later, according to the inspector, “the same employee was seen” kicking another chicken in a similar manner.

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 egregious abuse described above appears to violate Texas Penal Code § 42.09, which prohibits anyone from intentionally or knowingly causing a chicken unjustifiable pain or suffering. Texas law affords these 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

Cruelty Investigations Department