Hillside Investigation at Red Lion Horse Slaughterhouse...

RED LION HORSE SLAUGHTERHOUSE UPDATE... Please Share... Hillside Animal Sanctuary is extremely disappointed to learn that the CPS have dropped charges against five individuals, including Derek Lesley Turner and Derek William Turner, owners and operators of the Red Lion Abattoir in Nantwich. Hillside's investigators put themselves at considerable personal risk in order to obtain evidence of extreme cruelty to horses and other animals at the slaughterhouse. Our in depth investigation, which spanned eight weeks, showed animal welfare breaches occurring daily, under the nose of Food Standards Agency operatives who were supposed to be ensuring animal welfare standards at the site. The FSA insisted on taking over the entire case themselves, even blocking an offer of help from the RSPCA who, under the leadership of Gavin Grant, seemed genuinely interested in securing a successful prosecution against the offenders. We were originally assured by the FSA that ALL 150 hours of our footage would be thoroughly checked, but months later learned only a 30 minute segment had been viewed. As a result, WE supplied the FSA with a list of the Animal Welfare Regulation contraventions our evidence had documented, but it was becoming apparent they had no interest in pursuing a case which would clearly show, despite their claims to the contrary, that they have no concern for animal welfare at slaughter, or upholding the Welfare of Animals (Slaughter and Killing) Regulations 1995. Despite the UK having some of the best animal welfare laws in the world, this case shows once again that they are simply not upheld, leaving animal cruelty and neglect to run rife while its perpetrators get away with it time and time again. In our considerable experience, when it comes to the authorities, these welfare laws are simply in place to give the impression of caring and protection for the animals when, in reality, very little exists. Hillside will continue to campaign against and gain evidence of, animal cruelty and neglect when ever and where ever we find it.