Hidden camera video prompts investigation

A slaughterhouse in Fort Macleod, Alta., owned by a Calgary company is under investigation by the RCMP over allegations that horses are being shot and then left suffering for long periods of time before being killed.

Police launched the investigation after the Canadian Horse Defence Coalition made a complaint against Bouvry Horse Exports Ltd, which sells horse meat to international markets.

The CHDC received footage from a camera at the Fort Macleod slaughterhouse showing horses being shot and then hoisted away by their legs while still fully conscious.

"It's currently under investigation. We're speaking with the SPCA as well," said Sgt. Brent Hawker, with the RCMP detachment in Fort Macleod. "If there's a criminal offence that's been committed, we'll lay charges."

Claude Bouvry, one of the owners of the plant told CBC News in an interview "We are supervised at all times, and the SPCA can visit at anytime."

Bouvry said six CFIA officials and a veterinarian are always present during the slaughtering process at his facility.

According to the CHDC, workers can be seen in the video repeatedly failing to kill horses with one rifle shot, and then leaving the animals in pain for a prolonged period.

"I feel that the footage from the Bouvry plant shows levels of suffering that are unacceptable," said Dr. Mary Richardson, a veterinarian with the coalition.

Another expert associated with the CHDC said it appeared many horses were still showing voluntary movements and clearly breathing when they were suspended.

"This indicates these horses were likely conscious as they were being hoisted high into the air with one leg bearing their entire weight, and while their necks were cut down to the carotid arteries on both sides," said veterinarian Dr. Debi Zimmermann.

The coalition also complained to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), which overseas the operations of slaughterhouses, alleging that the company has violated meat inspection laws.

The agency confirmed Thursday it has been investigating the company's killing practices at its Alberta plant, and another it owns in Massueville, Que., Viande Richelieu.

The Canadian Horse Defence Coalition first raised concerns about conditions at the slaughterhouse last month after receiving the video footage from an anonymous source.

The video was dated February 19, 2010. To verify that it was taken at the Bouvry Exports slaughterhouse, the group got the song logs of the local radio station and matched them to songs that can be heard on the tape.

Bill desBarres of the Horse Welfare Alliance of Canada, an industry group that lists Bouvary Exports as a partner, said horses were not processed at the slaughterhouse on the date shown on the video.

Also, horses in February in Alberta would have a thick winter coat while the animals on the tape are glossy, he said.

"It's time that (the Canadian Horse Defence Coalition) was investigated and this information - propaganda that is questionably sourced - needs to be answered to."

He said someone from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency is on site every time a slaughterhouse is operating.

"That kind of performance, that kind of inhumane handling, is unacceptable and the plant, I suggest, would have been shut down by the CFIA inspector if that was taking place."

The videos were posted to YouTube and received more than 20,000 views before they were taken down.

With files from CBC News and The Canadian Press