Vandals damage meat processing plant, set cows loose

By Meatingplace Editors on 8/29/2013

An animal rights group has claimed responsibility for vandalism at a meat processing plant in North Branch, Mich., and local law enforcement has asked the Federal Bureau of Investigation to assist in the investigation, the sheriff’s detective handling the case told Meatingplace. The group Animal Liberation Front claimed that two of its members early Monday broke light fixtures, set 15 cows loose, smashed empty holding cages for chickens and glued the lock to the front door and the ignition to a truck at McNees Meats.  The vandals also painted “Meat is Murder” on the front of the building, according to a statement from the group, which was sent to media outlets and posted on the web site of Bite Back magazine. The web site publishes a long list of illegal acts committed by animal rights activists. McNees Meats two years ago recalled about 2,200 pounds of ground beef due to possible E. coli contamination, something the West Palm Beach, Fla.-based Animal Liberation Front referred to in its statement. Five E. coli cases were confirmed in which those who became ill had eaten meat involved in the recall. Lapeer County Sheriff’s Lt. Gary Parks said several of the cows let loose from McNees on Monday were still missing.