Investigation Reveals Little Abuse; HSUS Indifference

For Immediate Release / August 25, 2008

Cruelty from the standpoint of negligence on the part of management was determined by the New Mexico Livestock Board (NMLB) after investigation of allegations of animal abuse at a livestock auction, according to New Mexico Cattle Growers’ Association (NMCGA) President Alisa Ogden, Loving.

“The cruelty was in the form of insufficient or non-existent knowledge and training of employees handling livestock,” Ogden explained, quoting from report released by the NMLB in mid August. The Portales Livestock Auction was cited for a violation of 30-18-1 NMSA, Cruelty to Animals.

The investigation was brought about by the release of a video tape in late June taken by an “undercover operative” of the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS).

“Unfortunately the operative, a male who hired on to work livestock at the auction, neither did anything to aide the animals in distress nor did he make himself available to aide in the investigation after the fact,” she said.

The video tape depicted nine (9) different scenes, most of them either indicating no interaction between animals and humans or involving situations where employees were attempting to extricate cows from dangerous, damaging or life threatening predicaments, Ogden noted.

“The HSUS photographer had at least one opportunity to help relieve the suffering of an animal by assisting another employee,” she pointed out, “but instead chose to take pictures.”

The HSUS operative was therefore found to be indifferent to the suffering of the animal and to the dilemma of the auction employee, according to the NMLB.

“Although the credibility and conduct of HSUS is questionable in this case, the incident does offer the opportunity for the livestock industry to re-examine its’ supply chain,” Ogden quoted the report, “and the role of livestock markets in it.”

Wayne Pacelle, HSUS President and CEO is scheduled to be in Albuquerque today for the New Mexico State Humane Conference, according the Animal Protection of New Mexico website.

For further information, contact:
Caren Cowan, Executive Director
New Mexico Cattle Growers’ Association
505.247.0584 / nmcga@nmagriculture.org