What Can I Do?

Live Meat Markets in the Twin Cities

Several "live meat markets" continue to operate in Minnesota even though adequate stunning is not practiced. Customers select their animal which is then slaughtered by employees who often simply shackle, hoist, and cut the animals throat. These animals can linger for several minutes as they thrash, try to right themselves, and make eye contact with those in the room. All clear, scientific signs of consciousness. On occasion the butchering process starts with the animal still alive. These practices are illegal at both state and federal levels. The Minnesota Department of Agriculture continues to "look the other way" in its duty.

Call or write Gene Hugoson, Commissioner of Agriculture, and insist that the law be applied completely and uniformly to all slaughter operations and that animal suffering will not be tolerated in Minnesota.

Gene.Hugoson@state.mn.us

From Minnesota Statute 31.59:

"Humane methods" means: (1) Any method of slaughtering livestock which normally causes animals to be rendered insensible to pain by a single blow of a mechanical instrument or shot of a firearm or by chemical, or other means that are rapid 

and effective, before being shackled, hoisted, thrown, cast, or cut.