Central Iowa Times

After a pig wasn't properly slaughtered at a pork processing facility, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) has been looking into Prestage Foods of Iowa. 

An FSIS inspector had seen a pig still kicking when on the bleed chain, according to a USDA/FSIS Des Moines suspension sent to Prestage Foods owner John Prestage, the Messenger News reported. 

“The hog was rhythmically breathing and was moving all four legs randomly but with controlled kicking and swimming movements,” the letter sent to Prestage stated.

When the inspector requested the line be stopped for the pig to be properly stunned, the employee seemed to ignore him. The FSIS inspector had to stop the line himself and request for someone to be sent over to stun the pig.

The Des Moines USDA FSIS office was informed of the situation and suspended Prestage's slaughter operations, the Messenger News reported. 

Prestage Foods was required to submit measures that would should how the facility would be corrective and prevent future incidents from happening, which it did submit to the FSIS after receiving the suspension. 

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals Assistant (PETA) Manager of Investigations Colin Henstock is calling for the situation to be investigated. He is also asking Wright County Attorney Eric Simonson to "file suitable criminal charges," the Messenger News reported. 

“This disturbing report shows that this animal experienced a prolonged, agonizing death at Prestage Foods of Iowa,” PETA Senior Vice President Daphna Nachminovitch told the Messenger News. “PETA is calling for a criminal investigation on behalf of the pig who suffered at this facility and urging all compassionate members of the public who are disturbed by this cruelty to go vegan and help prevent more animals from suffering in slaughterhouses."