Canadian Horse Defence Coalition's Blog
The CHDC has learned from a valuable source that Les Viandes de la Petite-Nation horse slaughter plant (LPN) resumed operations on Thursday, February 23rd.
According to the source, LPN has now modified the plant to enable the use of a rifle instead of a captive bolt gun to stun horses and “obtain better results”.
Horsemeat from LPN is shipped exclusively to Europe and none is sold domestically in Canada. According to our source, LPN re-opened after completing modifications such as magnet-sealed doors to prevent people from entering the zone while the rifle is fired and the installation of better anti-skid floors to prevent animals from being injured.
The CHDC questions why the facility would resort to the use of a rifle to stun horses prior to slaughter. As clearly illustrated in footage captured at Viandes Richelieu in 2010 [ http://www.defendhorsescanada.org/chambers-of-carnage.html - click on video links], the flailing head of a terrified horse is a moving target, and hitting the small area of the equine brain that would render the animal insensible is a difficult maneuver at best.
Further, for safety reasons, inspectors at Viandes Richelieu at the time were not permitted in the area where horses were being stunned by gunshot, therefore preventing oversight by those responsible to ensure that animals are being humanely treated.
Animal suffering cannot be prevented in an equine slaughter situation, where assembly-line speed and profit are the goals. Horses are flight animals and difficult if not impossible to restrain when they are very frightened. They are administered drugs during their lifetimes that are not safe for humans to ingest.
The CHDC calls upon the government of Canada to put an end to the shameful and unsafe practice of killing our noble companion animals for food.
Horse defenders can send their polite messages of concern to:
Stephen Giguere, Manager, Les Viandes de la Petite Nation Inc.
email: stephane.giguere@taoco.com
Tel: 819.983.7941
888.983.2082
Fax: 819.983.4041
vpn@taoco.com
Also email: cerfdeboileau@taoco.com
Mylene Freeman
NDP MP for Argenteuil-Papineau-Mirabel (Saint-Andre-Avellin is in her riding.)
Hill Office
House of Commons
Ottawa,Ontario
K1A 0A6
Telephone: 613-992-0902
Fax: 613-992-2935
Email: Mylene.Freeman@parl.gc.ca
Web Site: www.mylenefreeman.ndp.ca/
Constituency Office(s)
499-B Principale Street(Main Office)
Lachute, Québec
J8H 1Y4
Telephone: 450-562-0737
Fax: 450-562-2527
149 Main Street
Saint-André-Avellin, Québec
J0V 1W0
Telephone: 819-983-1577
Fax: 819-983-1851
Mayor Therese Whissell, Mayor of Saint-Andre-Avellin
http://www.ville.st-andre-avellin.qc.ca/
Téléphone : 819 983-6378
Courriel/email : maire@ville.st-andre-avellin.qc.ca
Hon. Gerry Ritz
Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
781 Confederation Bldg., House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6
Email: Ritz.G@parl.gc.ca
Website:www.gerryritzmp.com
E-mail: gerry.ritz@parl.gc.ca
Tel: 613-995-7080
Fax: 613-996-8472
Dr. Martin Appelt, Manager Meat Programs, Martin.Appelt@inspection.gc.ca
Dr. Gord Doonan, CFIA Senior Staff Veterinarian, Gordon.Doonan@inspection.gc.ca
Dr. Brian Evans, Chief Food Safety and Veterinary Officer for Canada, Brian.Evans@inspection.gc.ca
Mr. George Da Pont, President
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
1400 Merivale Rd., Tower 1, Floor 6
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0Y9
Website: www.inspection.gc.ca/english/toce.shtml
Tel: 613-773-6000; Fax: 613-773-6060
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