I am horrified by what I just watched! I'm sick to my stomach and my heart goes out to these poor animals. Pigs are as smart as dogs. If a man will do that to an animal, he will do it to a child, too. Prosecute these "animals"!

Posted by: K Dean | September 16, 2008 07:49 PM

Heart breaking.

Posted by: Polly Walton | September 16, 2008 07:49 PM

I am not a member of PETA or have I ever considered it. But when you see pics and videos like this and of treatment of cattle at the pens recently,these people have crossed the line.
Thank God they have these jobs and are not turned loose on society. They seem to take teir frustrations or whatever out on poor defenseless animals.
It's also a good thing these animals cannot pay these scum back. That would be great to see though.

Posted by: Mike Tierney | September 16, 2008 08:14 PM

Why are the workers/torturer's faces hidden from camera?

Posted by: wayne | September 16, 2008 08:17 PM

I can't understand why anyone would work in a slaughterhouse. They must have serious criminal backgrounds or don't have an education past 3rd grade. They were also probably abused as a child. Very sick. I can't believe this is legal!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: Jen | September 16, 2008 08:23 PM

This is so terrible it breaks my heart. This should not be allowed, it should not be possible. How can this continue to go on? What can we do to make it stop? Besides writing, calling, e-mailing -- which must be done. All these individuals should be severely punished, and society should never allow such atrocities. There are some serious psychos out there. Absolutely horrible.

Posted by: Adrienne Guy | September 16, 2008 08:46 PM

OMG I cannot believe these sick people could be so cruel. Their faces should be plastered all over the place on "caught in the act, wanted for cruelty" posters especially in their local towns and papers. Let the families and friends know what they are really like. Karma will eventually get these guys (why are most of the cruel ones men?? sure a few women but still ostly men)... but how many animals must suffer in the meantime. It breaks my heart to see how cruel people can be.

Posted by: Koula | September 16, 2008 08:59 PM

This is so sad, it made me cry. I didn't exactly know what it was about and my daugther saw it, I never seen her sob so much before in her life. I had to cut the screen off and explain to her that she wasn't supposed to see that. Now I caughter her in the the freezer throwing all the meat away. It made me cry.

Posted by: Denise Moser | September 16, 2008 09:40 PM

I used to work on a commercial pig farm. Abuse of the pigs only happened once and the offenders were fired on the spot. We went to great lengths to keep them healthy and happy. These people should pay the penalties for there abuse of these pigs.

Posted by: Mouse | September 16, 2008 09:42 PM

To say that this made me heartsick is a VAST understatement. I know that such atrocities occur, but the horrors described here are worse than I could have imagined. Is there a contact at Hormel we could write to? Someone MUST answer for this.

Posted by: Lynn | September 16, 2008 09:49 PM

Jesus,
Reading this alone makes me ill and extremely irate that a human being can inflict such suffering on another defenseless creature; although it is hard to assume that these low-life pieces of trash should be referred to as humans. I cannot believe this actually goes on! Ok, I am not that naive but how could you even fathom this? You have to have some screws loose or a lack of a soul; it is beyond my comprehension of anything sane in this world. These people deserve to be beaten within an inch of their worthless lives and then beaten some more. We would be doing some good in that we would rid the earth of such scum and use otherwise wasted oxygen on someone with at least half a brain

Posted by: Jason | September 16, 2008 09:53 PM

This was so disgusting and made me so angry. It's hard to send "polite" comments to the farm owners when I am SO livid. I have notified everyone I know and this video will be on my myspace page. Thank you PETA, I'm sorry that this world even requires this type of investigation.

Posted by: Melanie King | September 16, 2008 10:04 PM

I couldn't even watch the whole footage it was soooo sad! Especially the baby piglets, how could anyone do that!It is soo sick and revolting!I was disgusted and ashamed for these workers!I would love to give them a piece of my mind. I hope that place gets shut down.

Posted by: Ayshar | September 16, 2008 10:04 PM

ONCE AGAIN THEY GOT CAUGHT ! THIS IS WHY I DONATE TO THE INVESTIGATION AND RESCUE DEPARTMENT AT PETA. YOU CAN TELL WHAT A GREAT JOB THESE UNDERCOVER INVESTIGATORS ARE DOING. IT MUST HAVE BEEN HELL TO HAVE TO WITNESS ALL OF THIS EVIL THAT WAS GOING ON IN THE SLAUGHTER HOUSES. I WOULD HAVE JUST CRIED. PLEASE LET US KNOW IF THEY FIRED THOSE EVIL WORKERS FOR THE ABUSE AND TORTURE OF THESE PIGS. THEY BETTER FIRE THEM. WE HAVE TO BOYCOTT HORMEL. AND THIS IS JUST WHAT WAS CAUGHT ON VIDEO. WHAT A NIGHTMARE. GOD BLESS PETA ! LET'S ALL GET THE MESSAGE OUT THERE !! BOYCOTT HORMEL !

Posted by: SASHA | September 16, 2008 10:15 PM

I watched this video with headphones on. My husband was sitting on the couch reading. It was quiet until I screamed in horror watching the baby pigs being slammed into the ground and then writhing, bloody and in pain, on the pile of dead and dying piglets. Is there no God in those worker's lives? That was pure evil.

Posted by: Lin | September 16, 2008 10:49 PM

Firing these workers in the video is not enough. Charges of aggravated animal cruelty should be filed against them and everyone in the chain of command who knew of this or should have known and could have prevented it.

Boycotting Hormel is not enough, criminal conspiracy charges should be brought against them as well. Bravo to PETA for bringing this out, keep it up. I will donate money now to make sure of this.

Posted by: Dennis Acton | September 16, 2008 10:50 PM

I have never seen such horrible torture. I feel so much pain thinking of what is happening to the pigs and the piglets at this factory farm. I have been a non - vegetarian all my life.. I have decided to become a vegetarian from today onwards.

Posted by: sangeetha | September 16, 2008 10:53 PM

I have viewed your "house of horrors" video, about pigs being tortured and being abused. As a manager of a hog farm myself, I can assure you people, that the kind of behavior exhibited by these employees does not happen on every farm. Owners and managers have an obligation to see that thier hogs are being cared for properly. The manager should have viewed this video and "kicked some serious ass!!" The actions of these people were totally out of line and the persons responsible should be fired! The pork industry takes enough heat from PETA already, we do not need idiots like these people working for us. If you hire discount employees, you get discount results.

Posted by: Tim | September 16, 2008 11:11 PM

I cannot go on reading about this anymore without blogging about it. That pork meat plant needs to be shut totally shut down!!! The pigs need to be given to farmers who care about them, feed them and help nurture the piglets instead of banging their heads on a concrete floor. Obviously these pigs do not have emotions, but also obviously, they feel their pain. These people abusing these animals are idiots to say the least.

Posted by: Pam Liewer | September 16, 2008 11:13 PM

What a sad & horrorible place. I can not image what kinda of people would get their shits & giggles by treating animals in such a fashion. What a brave a noble soul for going and showing such a place. Thank you peta!For everything you..

Posted by: Crystal | September 16, 2008 11:29 PM

I just could not believe the torture that was inflicted upon these pigs. The supervisor and workers involved should be fired and charges pressed. I will never buy another product from Hormel until something is done.

Posted by: s. cunningham | September 17, 2008 12:19 AM

I have cried so bad I think my heart is going to break. I wish that this could be shown over public TV. When will this come to an end. But there is a saying. You live by the sword you die by the sword. It always is. This is like taken a a human baby and smashing it's head against the floor, cutting is testicles for without pain relief. May the Devil have these people.

Posted by: Ann Luyt | September 17, 2008 12:49 AM

What can we do?

Posted by: Peter | September 17, 2008 01:01 AM

I am just sick about this. These people need to be arrested and a large fine tacked on them. There is no reason to treat these animals this way. Someone please do something. Maybe an eye for an eye?????

Posted by: Colleen Bazyn | September 17, 2008 01:12 AM

I have been sickened to tears. These cruel people are most likely perpetrators of more crime against children who, "will not listen". I am not a violent man, but give ten minutes in the room with those bastards. I have had my last BLT, Hamburger or lamb chop. I do buy chicken from an organic farmer, and he his good and respectful to the animals he raises. I cannot deny him his livlihood. I am a trained actor and would do anything I can for you.

Posted by: Clay Skaggs | September 17, 2008 01:12 AM

I HAVE WORKED ON A PIG FARM BEFORE AND NEVER EVER DID ANYTHING LIKE THIS GO ON, SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO GET ROUGH WITH FARM ANIMALS BUT THERE IS A LINE BETWEEN DISCIPLIN AND CRUELTY....UNBELEIVABLE! I don't know a single farmer that acts like this all of them treat their animals with respect since they put food on their table

Posted by: JOHN SCANLON | September 17, 2008 01:16 AM

I just watched the video about the abuse of pigs on that Iowa farm.I am very shocked at the abuse that the pigs had to suffer.No one in their right mind could do that to a living thing.If they will do that,they are capable of doing the same thing to a human!!Peta should get the men in that video and put them behind bars where they belong.

Posted by: butchie johns | September 17, 2008 01:20 AM

I was horrified when I read and actually saw the video about how these poor animals were treated by these workers.
I will never use the Hormel brand again! I truly understand now why some people refuse to eat meat of any kind. What these workers did was horrific?! They must be punished by the full extent of the law!

Posted by: linda warren | September 17, 2008 01:26 AM

Oh, man...

Posted by: Chris Gast | September 17, 2008 01:30 AM

How cruel! Made me extremely sad ... felt like crying. I can't believe this goes on to these poor animals. This cruelty should be known to all people. I wonder if this also happens to other animal farms. After viewing the video I sure don't want to eat meat! These people who cause the cruelty should be prosecuted for "Cruelty to animals!" and put behind bars!!!

Posted by: Maria Pratt | September 17, 2008 01:59 AM

Well, I have never eaten any of the slop that hormel produces, and after looking at this I'm very glad.

Poor pigs (:

Posted by: ❤SavetheanimalsBitch❤ | September 17, 2008 02:05 AM

I am absolutely disgusted by what I have seen. It is a good thing that these people don't live in some of the other countries that will put you to death for this kind of act. I hope that they get exactly what they deserve and that they get a taste of their own medicine. I now will not shut my mouth until something is done about this and I will make sure that everyone that I come across knows what kind of actions that they are supporting by spending their money on these products. Also I want to say thank you to the people that went into this place and exposed these people. I know it had to be hard for you to be there because it was hard for me to watch. Thank you to PETA. Someone has to be the voice for the ones that have no voice.

Posted by: Kimberly | September 17, 2008 02:09 AM

The gravity of cruelty,violence and indiffernce to pain coupled with utter depravity of humanity, shame and remorse shown by the workers in these videos should make the perpetrators of these crime against helpless animals eligible for same punishment as would be meted to a criminal carrying out similar acts of mindless ,ruthless violence to humans and human children.Then, I am sure that fear of God would certainly bring these sub-intelligent beings who are probably and pitiably mentally sick to some acceptable level of decent behavior. I would be impressed if any of these gentlemen in the videos showing off their crimes would voluntarily offer their own bodies to the same level of violent abuse and torture? If so,that may qualify as bravery-not torturing innocent helpless piglets!!

Posted by: Sanjiv | September 17, 2008 02:24 AM

This is a disgrace such things can be going on in America. All anybody does anymore is think about money. I know it takes alot of work to feed a country but why like this? Im sure what I just saw was pure evil. I have no idea how the investigator was abe to put up with that as long as he did, god knows I wouldnt.

Posted by: Ken Shraeder | September 17, 2008 02:51 AM

Today I begun to read the news in my pc. I was horrified for what I read! How come those workers act so voilently towards these animals????!! The supervisor was giving full support to abuse the animals! Just to think that I will eat all that suffering, and pain; all those emotions infiltrating thorough the whole meat....I know I eventually will get sick. And on top, those chemicals sprayed on the pigs!! No wonder why sometimes the meat tastes strangely bad sometimes!!...I know that I will tell all my friends and families about this horrendous incident. I will make sure to email all of them with these news. This is extremely upsetting me!! I will make sure not to buy this meat fromt this company anymore. I will make sure that all my hispanic families will not touch these meat packages anymore!!

Posted by: Maria Tomoyasu | September 17, 2008 02:54 AM

I'm devastated to learn about what really goes on at piggeries such as this. It breaks my heart that people with no consideration for the feelings of conscious beings such as pigs are continually employed to work with animals. The thing that upsets me the most is when management are aware of what is going on but they ignore it. Pigs are actually as smart as humans and its truly heartbreaking that they are fully aware of what is going on. I reckon PETA should create a line of "PETA Approved" foods, so that consumers are aware that what they are buying is cruelty free. Just a thought. I certainly hope that PETA's undercover filming will put an end to the cruelty inflicted upon these poor innocent pigs

Posted by: Louise | September 17, 2008 06:12 AM

This really makes me sick! The only thing i can say to it: disgusting - hideous - criminal! Many humans should change their lowlife behaviour - indeed!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION | September 17, 2008 07:31 AM

Soy de Uruguay, I'm uruguayan - No puedo explicar la impotencia que siento al ver esto. Rezo por esos animales indefensos y esa gente imunda que se creen "fuertes" se sienten "poderosos" contra pobres animales que no pueden defenderse. Esto tiene que parar no puede seguir así, por favor hagan algo por favor!
I cannot explain the impotence that I feel when seeing this. Prayer by those defenseless animal and that people without soul feel "forts" they feel "powerful" against animal poor who cannot defend themselves.
This must stop cannot follow thus, please do something please!

Posted by: jessica | September 17, 2008 08:16 AM

I am appalled at what I have just witnessed. Evil is one word to describe these people, can't they be prosecuted. They certainly should be, poor poor pigs, so sweet and trusting, am truly disgusted.

Posted by: Lorna | September 17, 2008 08:32 AM

hop on the hormel website and tell 'em what you think people! You can make a difference but not unless you shout at them. sara

Posted by: sara trudo | September 17, 2008 08:38 AM

It's amazing what can happen when people become desensitized to something. For example, I worked for a summer at a sewage plant. The first few weeks were awful, the smell was so strong and foul. Time went on and I got used to it. By the end of the summer, we were having sh@t fights!! We were actually throwing it at each other and laughing and having a good time! I know it sounds gross, but i became neutral, it didn't bother me anymore. The same thing happens at slaughterhouses and farms, at first they respect the animals that fill their stomachs and support their families, then over time, they see others hit the animals and it starts to not bother them. I don't condone this for a second, but we all wonder how people can do this, and I think this is how. They think no one is watching, they don't realize there is. GOD

Posted by: Dave | September 17, 2008 09:30 AM

I COMPLETELY AGREE WITH THE FACT THAT THE WORKERS WHO ARE UNNEEDINGLY BEATING THESE ANIMALS SHOULD BE FIRED. HOWEVER IF YOU LOOK AT THE BIG PICTURE AS FAR AS KILLING THE ANIMALS THAT ARE NOT THRIVING. I ASK THIS WOULD YOU RATHER THE ANIMAL STARVE TO DEATH THEN TO BE KILLED HUMANELY. I WORKED ON ONE OF THESE FARMS FOR OVER TWO YEARS IN A DIFFERENT PART OF THE COUNTRY AND SAW MY SHARE OF ABUSE BUT IT WAS NOT SOMETHING I EVER PARTICIPATED IN. ALSO THE ANIMALS THAT ARE CASTRATED AND HAD THEIR TAILS DOCKED SHOW NO SIGNS OF DISTRESS WITHIN TEN MINUTES AFTER THE PROCEDURE IS DONE.

Posted by: ANONYMOUS | September 17, 2008 09:31 AM

I haven't seen this video yet. I want to, but I am dreading it so badly. The description is nauseating. I will watch it later in the week.

I am amazed by the people on here who comment about treating “their” pigs with "respect." You do all know you are killing these animals for no reason other than greed, no? Raising and/or eating "happy meat" is no better than eating factory farmed animals that are abused. They are not slaughtered out of necessity, but out of greed. Why is that so hard to comprehend? There is enough information out there explaining all the meat alternatives anyone could ever ask for. Stop farming animals and pick a crop to feed humans, not animals at factory farms. Thank god PETA has the funding and support it does.

Posted by: ian | September 17, 2008 09:34 AM

Testing to post comment

Posted by: Valerie | September 17, 2008 09:42 AM

I was wondering if the owner to the farm knows what his workers are doing? If he does why is he allowing his job to be put in such danger of being shut down. I am a huge animal lover. Even though these animals are destined for the dinner plate they should be treated with far mor respect for their lives than this. I am appauled and in tears for what I saw. These men should be locked up in cramped cages and beaten with the same rods and treated the same way as they treat these animals. To be castrated and haiving their protruding parts cut off without anesthia just like they do with the piglets. They think the animals don't feel anything, let's hear them scream!!

Posted by: Aleta Evangelo | September 17, 2008 09:45 AM

I have been calling Hormel, the two offices of the Pork Council (they are having a meeting in Washington DC this week) and I am searching for the District Attorney's office phone number to ask about charges with these instigators.

Please make calls to these people to let them know you are outraged.

Hormel admitted they were getting lots of calls and have just found out about this.

Call, call and call and tell friends and family.

Pork will NOT be allowed in this house - this is sick and thank you Peta for revealing the hidden side of producing meat.

Posted by: Valerie | September 17, 2008 09:45 AM

Is anyone as disturbed as I am regarding the sexual abuse these workers inflict upon these poor, defenseless animals? It is utterly disgusting. What sick people to molest these animals. Sticking things in their butts and vaginas, slapping them on the ass. The physical abuse is beyond awful, but the sexual aspect to this abuse is beyond disturbing. I really wish someone would give me a stick and some steel toed boots and leave me in a room with these monsters, I would let them know just how painful it is to be abused!

Posted by: Misha Veloz-Wiessmann | September 17, 2008 09:47 AM

Whether you eat meat or not (and I don't), there is no excuse whatsoever for treating animals in this manner. I have read, many times, that people who work in these places are often illegals, or uneducated and poor, or people on parole, etc. but none of that deprives them of a heart or the quality of mercy or humanity. What could possibly be the "reason" for treating another being in this way? I don't want to just see these pathetic excuses for human beings fired, I'd like to see them prosecuted for animal cruelty and never be able to get near animals again. And to some of the people posting above: the best way to help stop such cruelty is to stop buying these "products." Stop eating meat!

Posted by: Susannah S | September 17, 2008 09:48 AM

What the f*** is wrong with this society? These assholes must have small penis's to make them so insecure that they have to beat defenseless animals on the way to slaughter. Sometimes I really hate the human race.

And what the f*** is wrong with "management" to allow this to take place???

Honest to god - I'd like to smack these loosers around myself.

And why isn't PETA filing suits????

Posted by: Kathy Garrey, Franklin MA | September 17, 2008 09:48 AM

I read about this last night and kept waking up in the middle of the night thinking of the abuse of the poor pigs. I was crying. I am sick it my stomach still. I hope these low life scum bastards pay for this. I hope karma will get them. I hope Hormel goes out of business for not doing anything. I emailed them and the present owner of the farm. I hate these people.

Posted by: DOGLUVR | September 17, 2008 10:02 AM

I have just watched this and am sick to my stomach. These workers should be hurt themselves in the same manner they are demonstrating. I will never let my family eat Hormel again!!!

Posted by: Angela | September 17, 2008 10:14 AM

This is heartbreaking and disgusting. Those people should have the same things done to them 10 fold.

Posted by: DogMa | September 17, 2008 10:38 AM

There is no such thing as "humane slaughter." If this bothers you and you are not vegan, just know that you are partly responsible.

Posted by: Antigone1000 | September 17, 2008 11:04 AM

ahh im gonna throw up!!

poor pigs!

Posted by: Amber Falobas | September 17, 2008 11:07 AM

We need to go beyond firing individuals that perpetrate cruelty and holding them responsible in a court of law. They need jail time and a court order preventing them from working with animals in the future. Management at the farm and above must also be held accountable with firings too. Rigorous new hiring procedures, training programs and third-party oversight is needed. If the farm is shut down, the workers and managers will just bring their evil to another farm. Hormel too needs to be held accountable by adopting PETA's standards for farming and insisting (and verifying) all their suppliers follow them.
I will NEVER get the images of the baby pigs out of my head. Their dying bloodied bodies is a clarion call for action and change.

Posted by: Chuck in Ithaca | September 17, 2008 11:20 AM

They Should Have A Sticker That Says "WE AT LEAST DONT ABUSE OUR ANIMALS" and one that says "NOT TESTED ON ANIMALS"

Posted by: Amanda | September 17, 2008 11:37 AM

It is great to read the comments about people wanting justice for these pigs.

I have the phone number I called first thing this a.m. to express concern and ask if they are going to press charges. Greene County Sheriff's Office: main # is (515) 386-2136

and

CNN.com mentioned regarding this story: National Pork Producers Council. Incredibly this a.m. the main office (in Iowa) had not hear of this story. Their number (515) 278-8012. Washington office: (202) 347-3600.

There are some numbers now those concerned can do the very effective 'public outcry'. And of course, a call to Hormel.

Hope this helps anyone interested in making some calls on behalf of these pigs.

Posted by: Valerie | September 17, 2008 11:39 AM

Wow! I can not believe what I just witnessed! I personally don't eat pork or care for pig products but I seriously think this has been the most disgusting video I have ever seen when it comes to cruelty of animals. When I first read the article, I was thinking "who cares what happens to them people eat it all the time." However, I must honestly say that something has to change and charges are inevitable.

Posted by: M.B. | September 17, 2008 11:59 AM

THIS IS THE MOST DISGUSTING THINK I HAVE EVER WATCHED. I WAS CRYING AND SCREAMING AT THE HORRIBLE ABUSE THESE PIGS ARE FORCED TO ENDURE. THE PAINT, THE CLOTHESPINS, THE CASTRATION, TAILS CUT OFF, THINGS RAMMED UP THEIR ANUS & VAGINA, THE KILLING OF PIGLETS, THE BEATINGS WITH METAL RODS..HOW COULD ANYONE DO THIS?? WE ARE LIVING IN A VERY SICK SOCIETY AND I WOULD NEVER EAT MEAT AGAIN...I HAVEN'T IN A YR. BUT IF I EVER HAVE A TASTE FOR MEAT I JUST GO TO MY SPACE AND WATCH THE WAY ANIMALS ARE TORTURED. THEIR JUDGEMENT DAY IS COMING.....

Posted by: MARTI | September 17, 2008 11:59 AM

This is just hidious, horrible. Why on earth do they have to treat these animals this way...these animals doesn't matter be it cow, pig, horse, duck, chicken, lamb. goat, doesn't matter THEY do NOT deserve this kind of treatment. And thanks to peta and people like you to go and investigate these kind of things to let the public become aware of how animals are being treated. KEEP UP THE WORK. PUT IT ON THE NATIONAL NEWS, MAKE THE PUBLIC AWARE.

Posted by: Karen | September 17, 2008 12:04 PM

What town in Iowa? I wanna know more about this! I am outraged and sickened. I wrote to Hormel. I hope they realize the seriousness of this. This is beyond atrocious! There is no humane way to kill an animal. It's wrong. What gives humans the right to hurt/kill any animal? These are God's creatures. THEY WERE HERE BEFORE US! STUPID, IGNORANT HUMANS!

Posted by: 4 the Animals | September 17, 2008 12:07 PM

I just can not believe that these things actually happen.
I was so sick after watching this video.
I do not understand how people can do these things with no remorse.....They are heartless...and it makes me want to cry that we live in a world like this..
I think when people are caught and convicted the same things need to be done to them as they did to these poor poor animals...

Posted by: JoAnn | September 17, 2008 12:20 PM

I do not even know what to say about what I just watched...I know in my heart that these people will not stop this torture to these poor animals....any animals...It is a cruel world we live in...and there are so many cruel..heartless people out there...

Posted by: JoAnn | September 17, 2008 12:24 PM

I stopped reading from post John Scanlon! I WILL NOT go further. Animals, which are like "US" humans, whether you believe or not, are "NOT OURS" to eat, wear, entertain upon, experiment upon, pleasure fighting upon OR against.... PERIOD!!! GOOD LUCK IN FINDING YOURSELFS AND GOING VEG!!!!! Peace!!

Posted by: Carla | September 17, 2008 01:00 PM

This makes me sick.What depressed me the most is even if we stop this there is always gonna be someone else doing this.I just wanna save them! Ive emailed and will be sending this along to everyone i know! Im totally heartbroken, and the piglets how can people even smash a living things head on the ground with no remorse? I always have attempted to be vegetarian and this was definatly the push i needed. No mroe meat.

Posted by: Rosanna | September 17, 2008 01:09 PM

This video made me want to scream "STOP, STOP STOP !" Pigs are sensitive, smart animals--a million times more smart and sensitive than the abusers. The creeps who are abusing them deserve justice: "an eye for an eye"... I cried so hard for these poor animals, the little piglets, all of them. Where do these farms find these idiots? I wish the tables could be turned and the pigs could get revenge on the abusers--but the pigs are probably too nice to do that, anyway.....

Posted by: C. Creager | September 17, 2008 01:16 PM

Horrific! Pathetic! It's absoulely unbelieveable and there is no reason for any of this. It makes me so sad and actually I can not express my feelings on the disgusting moronic behavior over this. It's inexcuseable in every way!

Posted by: Wendy Salick | September 17, 2008 01:20 PM

Yes, this is horrific, but you need to get involved. Please make phone calls to the below

Thank You for Sharing With Friends

Thank you for telling your friends about the new video footage from PETA's undercover investigation inside a Hormel supplier's facility. Please also take just a few moments to call or send a letter to Hormel.

Please send polite comments to:

Hormel Foods Corporation
Consumer Response
1 Hormel Pl.
Austin, MN 55912
1-800-523-4635

Looking for more ways to help? Please take a few minutes to contact the people who owned and operated this farm during the period of documented abuse. Demand that they fire the workers responsible for the abuse and that they follow all of PETA's animal welfare guidelines.

Please send polite comments to the current farm owner:

MowMar LLP
2108 175th St.
Fairmont, MN 56031
507-436-5664
lynn@lbpork.com

Please send polite comments to the current farm-management company:

Suidae Health and Production LLC
2200 Highway 18 E.
Algona, IA 50511
515-295-8777

Please send polite comments to the previous farm-management company, which was responsible for the farm during much of the time that PETA's investigator was there:

AMVC Management Services
712-563-2080
712-563-9990 (fax)
info@amvcms.com

Please send polite comments to the previous owner, which owned the farm during much of the time that PETA's investigator was there:

Natural Pork Production II
Dan Koester
712-579-9166

You can also help pigs on factory farms by placing this video footage on your MySpace page, your blog, or anywhere else that you are online using the code below.

Posted by: John Schiefer | September 17, 2008 01:32 PM

I didn't watch the video. I can't stand watching crap like this. I can't believe there is animal cruelty in this Century. UNBELIVABLE !!

Posted by: Bill Morris | September 17, 2008 02:23 PM

You know, I've always been very ANTI PETA, but the Hormel investigation makes me say HURRAY FOR PETA! I'm a carnivore, I like meat and I wear my great-grandmother's Antique Angora fur coat... I raise ALL of my own meat, from beef to chicken to pork, etc. I don't like pigs, they don't cooperate well (part of their charm), but I cannot wrap my brain around how anyone would treat any creature in that manner. It makes me sick! I don't buy Hormel products and never will after seeing your video. Makes me wonder about the two confinement barns recently built near my home in rural southern MN... I don't know who they supply and don't know anyone who works there but your story has me curious. If you want to check them out, I'll get their name tonight. They're new barns, with new staff so they probably don't have any problems yet, but UGH! Maybe it's because I'm a mother and don't like to see any mother get mistreated, or their young... I'll never go completely vegan, but can't handle the mistreatment of animals! Good job covering the Hormel story!!

Posted by: Michelle Nash | September 17, 2008 02:26 PM

I don't understand why PETA isn't taking this company, as well as Agriprocessors, to court. This extreme mistreatment is clearly in violation of any minimal animal welfare standards in place. Why are you not taking them to court???

Posted by: Jackie Casano | September 17, 2008 02:31 PM

I am so sick right now. I cannont believe there are such evil people in the world. I am not a vegetarian. I do eat meat which includes bacon. I will never buy any kind of pork product again. Has this factory been shut down? Have these people been prosecuted?

Posted by: Marie | September 17, 2008 02:44 PM

I chose not to watch the video because I intially read the article on CNN and that alone brought me to tears. I can't imagine witnessing that horror. I only wish for God or someone to have these workers lined up and have the EXACT same punishment put upon THEM! I know two wrongs don't make a right but in this case I hope nothing but the worst for them. Im sick to my stomach about this and I want something to be done. If the presidential candidates want another issue to fight--SURELY THIS IS THE ONE!!! This must be stopped. Im not a vegan, but I have compassion and this is simply NOT ACCEPTABLE.

Posted by: Sohni | September 17, 2008 02:59 PM

My heart goes out to the PETA investigator(s) who had to force him/herself every single day to get up and go back to a place like this, knowing they would have to put themselves through another day of watching this horrible abuse happen all over again.
THANK YOU personally, and thank you PETA for raising awareness.
If only this video could be shown on national TV, more and more people would become aware of this, would become vegetarians and absolutely boycott places that "produce" food from live animals.
Sadly, people see videos such as the one we've just seen, they are sick to their stomachs for a few days, and then go back to eating meat and hitting up drive-thrus again.
People who work at slaughter-houses cannot be "normal" to begin with, and who-ever brought up the "desensitizing" further down in the blog made a good point. It happens daily. It's a common occurence in the lifes of these people.
How can we go through life closing our eyes to this abuse and continue eating meat? There is no way I could, thanks to PETA for showing us how things really work in the "live-"food industry.
And we have to know - this is NOT an unusual or seldom incident, this happens every day everywhere all over the world.
I am in physical pain over this and have not been able to think about anything else for the past two days.
I am a firm believer of "people get what they deserve". I have to believe in that, it's my only way of getting sleep at night.

Posted by: D. | September 17, 2008 03:04 PM

I interned for one of these companies this summer and I will just say that whoever the PETA investigators were, signed a contract with the company during their training that stated if they witnessed any abuse, they were to report it. These companies do not condone, stand for, or advocate animal abuse. If the upper management knew about this during the duration of the abuse, the employees would be fired on the spot. There is no tolerance for animal abuse in this industry or the company. I agree, the people abusing the sows in this video should be shot, but do not blame Hormel or any other company involved. If they knew what was going on, they would have put a stop to it. If you want Hormel to monitor the individual treatment of every sow on the farms in the US, then that is called vertical integration, which is what PETA and HSUS is so against!
The management has the ultimate responsibility to promote the positive handling techniques of the animals on their farm. The behavior in thsi video is not something that is okay with them. Also, while blunt force trauma to the piglets to euthanize them may not seem like the most humane way of euthanasia, or the no anesthesia for castrating, it is legal and the Standard Operating Procedure in the swine industry in Iowa.
Also, for those of you who mentioned this as a slaughter house... get your facts straight! It is a sow farm! Not a slaughter house.

Posted by: D Gills | September 17, 2008 03:08 PM

I sent an email to Hormel, this was their reply:

We find the images in the PETA video appalling and they are inconsistent with our standards and industry standards for animal handling.

Even though the abuse on the video occurred several weeks before our supplier purchased the farm, it depicted practices that are completely unacceptable.

We expect all current suppliers to adhere to the proper animal handling standards from day one and continue to do so throughout our relationship. We are working with our supplier to ensure this activity is no longer taking place, and they are investigating this matter and will take appropriate disciplinary actions, including terminating employees. Underscoring our company's zero tolerance policy, we have in the past terminated employees, truckers and contracts with producers when animal welfare issues have arisen.

Animal welfare and animal husbandry have always been top priority at Hormel Foods. This is simply about treating animals humanely because it's the right thing to do. We take our zero tolerance policy for the inhumane treatment of animals very seriously and have implemented many standards outlined in our responsibility report.

Posted by: DogMa | September 17, 2008 03:10 PM

My husband works on this farm. We just watched this video together. We know what was done wasn't right, but it was only a few employees doing this. You cannot blame the entire farm for the stupidity of some. In one of the investigators notes, my husband remembered that incident. The investigator totally exaggerated the abuse on that day. Grantd, the video shows horrific scenes, but some of what he wrote may not have been true.

Posted by: Leigh | September 17, 2008 03:16 PM

Please let us know how we can put these people to severe punishement. They must be prosecuted and put into prison. This type of cruelty not only happened at Iowa farm but other farms as well as reported on PETA. We need to stop all these from happening and put those in charges to punishment.

Posted by: Thuy Ngo | September 17, 2008 03:24 PM

The video of the pigs was heart breaking. I'm still stunned.
I thought there were strict laws that inspections must take place to assure that animals are treated humanely?
There is absolutely no excuse for not watching, and making sure that people like this are not employed.
The practice of castrating and cutting off the tails gets defended by saying it is quick and the pain only lasts a moment..Well obviously not. I know that is a widespread belief. Castration is never done with anesthesia, anywhere that I know of.
Well I will not buy any more pork products from the store. Living in a rural area I know pigs are not stupid animals, stubburn but not stupid.They make good pets and show affection when treated with affection.
The people here that raise them for food treat them well, and they are slaughtered by being shot in the head. They do not suffer.
I know some people would prefer meat not be eaten at all. But that will never happen. The cruelty is totally un called for. Just sickening and that can be stopped.

Posted by: Celene | September 17, 2008 03:36 PM

I am so sick by this video I am still shaking. Those poor pigs, I am definately thinking about changing my eating habits. I would love to take a drive up to Iowa and let those pigs, not the little animals but the men, know what I think about them.

Posted by: Pamela Rooney | September 17, 2008 03:53 PM

This is sickening! Something must be done!

Posted by: latoya | September 17, 2008 03:58 PM

Disgusting! No more pork for me because every time I'll eat pork, I will remember these helpless creatures.

To the perpetrators - remember, what goes around comes around!

Posted by: Susan Panton | September 17, 2008 04:24 PM

FOR ALL WHO HAVE A HEART.......BOYCOTT HORMEL!

IT IS HORMEL'S RESPONSIBILITY TO END THE ABUSE OF THEIR SUPPLIERS. IT IS HORMEL'S RESPONSIBILTY TO PREVENT THE ABUSE IN THE FIRST PLACE.

Posted by: Sandra Toscano | September 17, 2008 04:57 PM

I eat meat and I do not support or agree with PETA on many things, but this is somthing that PETA should go after. No animal, even an animal meant to be eaten needs or deserves to be treated like this. The men (maybe women too) that do this to these animals should be fired and given jail time. I am currently raising mice for feeders. I know there are places that raise feeder mice that are just plain mean to the mice and keep them in horrible conditions. My goal is to raise feeders in a clean, and abuse free enviroment. These people at the pig farm should do the same, and if they cant they should be shut down.

Posted by: Alicia | September 17, 2008 05:09 PM

I am an ex-emt, that is the worst thing i have ever seen in my life. to reply to the guy that works there, why did you not do anything? i am discusted with our human race.

Posted by: Michelle Mueller | September 17, 2008 05:14 PM

Why can't these monsters be prosecuted?

Posted by: Hope | September 17, 2008 05:43 PM

This is:

A Concentration Camp for Pigs. Hormel is the Enemy.

You know what needs to be done to the enemy.

Never again!

Posted by: Bill Wallace | September 17, 2008 05:52 PM

I watched the cruelty! Those employees need to prison terms!
Please don't buy Hormel Products!

Posted by: Sue Kang | September 17, 2008 06:13 PM

I cannot imagine what it takes to be an undercover cruelty investigator. My thanks to PETA for that. To the couple that watched the video together, whose husband works at that sow barn, it only takes one to commit horrible cruelty. The management of that company is responsible, period, whether it is a few or many causing the cruelty. And the intelligence of the animal to which the cruelty is inflicted should not be a consideration. All God's creatures deserve compassion.

Posted by: Pat | September 17, 2008 06:25 PM

tks Peta for going into these place to investigate where these people feel they can torment and abuse animals any which way htey please because they are 'behind closed doors'.. it saddens me so each and every time to konw hear how animals suffer this way by cowardly cruel bullies of humans and these animals simply 'have to 'put up with it'.. as in the case of Hallmark meat exposed by HSUS.. I hope likewise this particular place will also be exposed for what it is.. and the guilty parties.. be more than accountable for their cruel and cowardly bullying actions on poor defenceless animals.. they are truly DISGUSTING humans!.. I wish I their 'dangly' bits would also be cut off and thrown onto some heap.. and then burned..

Posted by: bet | September 17, 2008 06:56 PM

this needs to stop immediatley. this is unnecssary crulty. are there no laws for this type of crime. protesters should be there all the time. staff needs to be retrained.

Posted by: kim | September 17, 2008 07:24 PM

Don't forget, Hormel owns quite a few brands: Farmer John, Saag, and others, so boycott those, too.
here's a link: http://www.hormelfoods.com/

Posted by: C. Creager | September 17, 2008 07:24 PM

I am sitting here writing this email and the tears just will not stop. I can not believe that these men who did this are human !! What are they really like in their personal lives. It sickens me to see these creatures of GOD be treated like this. They don't have to suffer like this to become a meal. They did this on purpose for their own pleasure and sick minds. I can not stop crying. To see how they laughed as they threw those piglets on the floor and still alive they laid in their own blood. The farmer is as much responsible as the men they have hired. Their pictures should be plastered in every newspaper, news station across the world.Why havent they? I will never buy anything to do with Hormel ever again. Thank you PETA but we have to close this place down. Tell us what to do and I will get an army of people to stop this abuse.
They should go to jail and be abused themselves like they have abused these poor animals. Absolutely disgusted !! Shut these farms down who abuse any kind of animal. God Bless all those animals.

Posted by: Rosa | September 17, 2008 08:23 PM

Post the Farmer's name and address and phone number. Who is the Mayor and how can someone allow this to happen. Someone has to go and take those pigs out of there and put them in a safe environment and let them just grow old and healthy. Email me this info please and we will start calling right now.

Posted by: Rosa | September 17, 2008 08:28 PM

I think we can all agree on who the real pigs are. But 'pig' is much too kind of a word to describe these monsters. The insanity in the video has even made it to the front page of AOL news.

For everyone making the pledge to give up pork, kudos to you! You're making the best decision you possibly could for these animals.

Posted by: Sarah | September 17, 2008 08:52 PM

I WILL NEVER EAT ANYTHING PORK JESUS HAVE MERCY ON US
THE PEOPLE THAT ABUSED THE PIGS ARE GOING TO HAVE VERY BAD THINGS HAPPEN TO THEM.

Posted by: jane bauer | September 17, 2008 09:04 PM

I am left speechless and yet with so much to say after what I have just saw. I couldn't bring myself to watch the whole thing but I know it must have been terrible. Animals should be treated with respect and I hope these people one day realize what they have done and feel shameful. I absolutely am against animal cruelty, these animals did not deserve this. The monsters who did this to them will hopefully feel guilty for the rest of their lives.This disgusts me, i am proud to be vegan.

Posted by: Marii | September 17, 2008 09:26 PM

I am so disgusted by this video these sorry excuses for human beings are going to be judged real soon. I is so sad to see this happen to these animals its doesn't matter if you eat meat or not these is no excuse to treat any animal like this. I wanted to cry for these animals u can just see the pain in there eyes when you look at them. I hope that this story makes the news across the world and forces these company's to be held accountable for this kind of miss treatment, and I hope that the faces of the "SORRY ASS EXCUSES OF HUMANS BEINGS" get what they have coming to them.

Posted by: Lakisha | September 17, 2008 09:39 PM

My husband and I were horrified by this video! I have recently read a book that has opened my eyes to the meat industry as a whole. Vegan will be my new way of life because this type of thing will be hard to stop.

Posted by: Jessica Musso | September 17, 2008 09:50 PM

The video was horrific. But Hormel's response by Brian Stevens was equally horrific. He had high regard for the producers and said they were a good group with the highest integrity. It's not possible to have high regard and integrity when your operations allows abuse. Every animal farm for food production is going to have abuse. The business must have some practice to actively seek and eliminate abuse. If the producer says abuse must be reported, why wasn't it reported? Why did PETA have to do an undercover? There's management problems and peer pressure to not blow the whistle. The employees and managers should be punished, the producer should be punished, and Hormel should be punished. And anyone who buys Hormel should feel part of the guilt. I'm a meat eater and plan to stay that way, but I want humane treatment of animals.

Posted by: Garry | September 17, 2008 11:10 PM

Thank God/dess for PETA. If it wasn't for your hard work and dedication, stuff like this would go on and no one would know or care. This is what I wrote to them and I also sent a hard copy via snail mail. People need to get involved and write, call, do whatever you can to speak up for those who can't. All creatures great & small !!

Hormel Foods,

I find the animal abuse that goes on at the factory farm you purchase pork from in Iowa is disgusting and appalling. Shame on your company for not having stricter guidelines, rules and policies that are regularly monitored and enforced regarding the treatment of animals from those who your company purchases pork, poultry or beef from. I urge that you follow PETA's eight-point policy when governing future pig-farming operations. PETA's plan includes calling for the immediate termination and criminal prosecution of anyone who is caught abusing or neglecting animals. It also calls on your company to enact and enforce meaningful animal welfare guidelines for your suppliers.

Anyone who believes that animals don't suffer or have feelings is cruel and unintelligent. I urge your company to rethink it's relationships with such disgusting and degrading animal abusers so that your company name is not associated with such cruelty.

Shame on you if you stand back and do nothing. Please take a stand and let these suppliers know that Hormel will not tolerate animal abuse and cruelty.

Posted by: Ailette Rodriguez | September 17, 2008 11:17 PM

This is truly discusting, to do this to the baby piglets in front of their mothers screaming in pain is like doing this to a child to its mother.. These scumbags are lowlifes pathetic uneducated morons who deserve to be castrated and thrown in the rubbish tip where they belong... I am so upsett right now I am sick of reading these horror stories something needs to be done..
That why I gave up eating meat...

Posted by: Brandy | September 17, 2008 11:23 PM

I wrote Hormel they sent me the same letter as above posted by Dogma ;this is what I sent back So YOU NEVER EVEN READ the comments ,You just forward the same crap to everyone,Shows you don't really care , I have not been able to sleep after seeing the peta video ,But I would like to know are these employees still working there ? Has this factory been shut down ? Have these people been prosecuted ? I will tell everyone I can about your slaughterhouse .And I or my family will never eat pork again . We are haveing cards made up about hormol slaughter to pass out at flea markets, wal-marts and anywhere we can think of ,thats my childrens idea ,good one too. I will be right there helping them. Hope you have a good night sleep
.

Posted by: cheryl | September 17, 2008 11:40 PM

I just wrote to Hormel foods, about the pig farmers, and can no longer eat pork. I will never get the images out of my mind, of the needless atrocities that I have learned about that go on in pig farms since I have been learning about them the past couple of months. These workers are sadistic and need to be prosecuted, then checked into a mental institution.

Posted by: Tracy | September 18, 2008 12:33 AM

Most of what was seen was wrong and unsettling. My wife and I both worked in a farrow to finish farm and there was alot that was done that we so in human for the animals. but as far as docking the tail and casterating them they don't suffer long two minutes after they are done they are running around playing with no pain.the farm we work at we also disinfected the instriments used to casterate and dock there tail after every litter or as needed in the same litter and they also got antibotics and iron shots. but as far as beating them there was times we had to get after them but not to the extent of what was shown in the video. There needs to be a line between abuse and a firm hand just like children.

Posted by: dan p | September 18, 2008 12:34 AM

I have spoken with Dan Koester and he is not the former owner of Natural Pork Production II. Can this be corrected in John Schiefer's blog?

Posted by: Heather A | September 18, 2008 01:02 AM

These individuals who blatantly harmed, maimed and sodomized these pigs should be prosecuted and thrown into jail for many many years. The pigs were defenseless. They were female pigs and young. The usage of sexual language to describe the sows and abuse of the sows' genitalia is extremely disgusting and horribly disturbing. It makes me seriously contemplate about the mental health of the workers and if they have committed sexual crimes against women and children. Help to convict these scum and make examples out of them! No animal should have to suffer at the hand of any man or woman regardless if the animal is raised for slaughter. These very types of crimes on animals made me become aware of what role I was playing in the factory farm horrors. I altered my lifestyle and became a VEGETARIAN. It was easy to do! Seeing the suffering of the animals was motivation to change. No longer will I support these hideous horror farms by purchasing animal meats!!

Posted by: Diana | September 18, 2008 01:04 AM

I do eat meat and will continue to do so. I eat meat killed by small farmers using humane methods. I can't support being a vegan. However, I will write to Hormel and actively encourage anyone I know to boycott their products (which are crap anyway). Thank you for doing this. I wish you would publish the names of the people in the video. Torture in any form is unacceptable.

Posted by: Kandace | September 18, 2008 01:27 AM

My God. PETA, I don't normally agree with your views or your delivery of them. I eat meat, wear leather and own a purebred dog but after seeing this I won't be buying my pork products from Hormel.

Posted by: Tanya | September 18, 2008 01:29 AM

ALL I can say is STOP contributing to CORP GREED any which way POSSIBLE! If you chose to contribute to the cruelty and continue to eat meat buy ONLY from small local farmers where you can take a peek BEHIND closed doors! Why do you think corp factory farms and slaughterhouses are always tucked AWAY from public view??

Who EVER designed the un-Godly farrowing crate was a TRUE Hitler and to ALL animals subjected to the meat industry, 'MAN' are NAZIS in THEIR eyes and whether charges are brought about to these SICKOS AND the DECEIVING pork industry/factory farms (don't see ANYTHING resembling a farm pictured on MOST pork products) SUCK for putting these mother pigs behind bars of TINY cells where they can't even turn around! I know I would ABSOLUTELY go OUT OF MY MIND!

This is NO longer a nation under God as we are in a pact with the devil (corps, capitalism, materialism, militarism, elite bankers) which has destroyed humanity as we know it as they are considered mere commodities/profit $$$ and PLENTY of profits able to line the pockets NICELY of politicians, juidial system AND the USDA so they ALL turn a blind eye...

THAT'S how corrupt our govt is, NOT what this country was founded on as the Greatness of a nation and its moral progress is based on how its animals are treated...WOW if this is factual then we are in for a HARSH judgment!

The driving passion that has overwhelmingly governed my life is the UNBEARABLE pity for the suffering of human & non human animals caused by people (Corp GREED/MEAT INDUSTRY) for their own personal gain, regardless of how severe the pain, intentionally and maliciously inflicted on innocent others.

PEACE
&
God BLESS the beasts!

Posted by: SHARI | September 18, 2008 01:46 AM

I eat meat, and realize that something has to die to provide me with this kind of food. Even so, there are humane ways to raise and slaughter animals that don't expose the animal to needless pain, suffering and terror.

My solution is that I'm going to do my best to avoid buying meat, dairy, poultry or eggs from commercial sources. I'm either going to raise my own (I have chickens and a dairy cow already), buy from a local farm where I can see the animals and check out the reputation of the farm family, or I'm going to drastically cut back my intake. I'm cutting back on restaurants even more than normal, and will not be buying processed foods if I can help it.

If all of us cut back the purchase of these products, the mega corporations that have pushed these factory farms on us will be forced to change their ways.

If we do nothing, this kind of cruelty is going to continue. No one cares about these animals unless we take a stand.

Posted by: Bill Masterson | September 18, 2008 05:41 AM

That video was very disturbing, including everything else similar that is on this website. These so called "people / human beings" should get tortured the same way they do to those animals to see how they like it. humans are disgusting >_>

Posted by: Steve | September 18, 2008 06:42 AM

It is not about not eating hot dogs, bacon, etc. It is about the humane treatment of animals used for human consumption. To make hot dog and bacon, it is not necessary to torture these pigs. I wonder how these savages would feel if they had a stick up their behind, or their testicles were cut off! I hope they go to jail. This is animal abuse and it must be stopped!

Posted by: Dalie Cabrera | September 18, 2008 07:22 AM

I just watched and listened to PETA's video of the abuses that went on at one of Iowa's large hog confinement farms and it makes me not only ashamed to be from Iowa, but ashamed to be a member of the human race.

I've always loved ALL animals and as a Christian, I believe God gave us authority to have dominion over all the world's resources, land, water, air and animals. With this responsibility, we are to be good stewards of it all also.
I do believe that God intended for us to eat plants and animals and I also believe it's God's will for us to harvest our food humainly and to not kill or harm any living thing for pleasure or out of ignorance or stress. What we eat should be killed swiftly and painlessly as possible. I thank God for the food he provides me with to eat. I was married to an Iowa farmer for over 20 years who raised pigs and cows. and grains and I've witnessed animal abuse that haunts me to this day. I finally got enough courage to divorce the farmer (with a restraining order) Iowa farmers are saying how bad those at the hog confinement farm was and they'd never do anything like that. DON'T BELIEVE THEM! When the economy is bad for the farmers, they also get meaner as they look at livestock as dollars on hoofs, so when they are worth less financially, or farmers get into a bind financially due to floods, drouts, hail, wind damage, etc., they also take out their frustrations, not only on the livestock, but also on their pets and family.
I'm also very dissapointed in Senator Harkin's comments on tv, stating that Iowa Farmers wouldn't treat animals that way as it's not financially profitable. Our government leaders should be interested in what is morally and ethically right, rather than just thinking about the almighy dollar as the bottom line for what is acceptable in the handling, raising and selling of livestock.
I also believe these abusers will pay dearly for what they did when they meet their MAKER at judgement day, as well as they should be doing hard time in prison where the punishment fits the crime.
I pray that GOD gives special blessings to PETA and helps them to be very successful in their challenges to STOP THE ABUSE AND VIOLENCE AGAINST ANIMALS. From a TRUE ANIMAL LOVER

Posted by: Cheryl Roe | September 18, 2008 07:41 AM

IF YOU DO NOT GO VEGAN, YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS. IF IT REALLY BOTHERS YOU, STOP EATING ALL MEAT AND USING ALL ANIMAL PRODUCTS. HUMANE SLAUGHTER IS A FANTASY TERM CREATED BY THE MEAT INDUSTRY TO MAKE YOU THINK THAT ANIMALS CAN BE TREATED WELL, THEN MURDERED FOR YOU TO EAT THEM. IT CANNOT BE DONE. IF PEOPLE ON HERE TRULY WANT THIS TO STOP, IT HAS TO STOP AT YOUR HOME. OTHERWISE, DON'T POST ON HERE AS THOUGH YOU ARE OUTRAGED, THEN SIT DOWN AND EAT A HUGE CHUNK OF FLESH FROM AN ANIMALS THAT HAS SUFFERED AS MUCH AS ANY OF THESE PIGS YOU CLAIM TO BE SO UPSET ABOUT. NOBODY WANTS TO HEAR YOUR "OUTRAGED" OPINION WHEN YOU HAVE NO INTENTION OF MAKING ANY CHANGES IN YOUR LIFESTYLE TO STOP THIS FROM HAPPENING. AT LEAST THE PIG ABUSERS ARE UPFRONT ABOUT WHAT THEY ARE DOING. THE REST OF YOU POINT THE FINGER AT THEM, BUT CONTINUE TO PROMOTE ANIMAL CRUELTY THROUGH YOUR LIFESTYLE. YOUR LACK OF DIRECT PARTICIPATION DOES NOT ABSOLVE YOU OF GUILT IN THE TORTURE AND DEATH OF THESE, AND ALL OTHER, ANIMALS KILLED FOR YOU TO EAT.

Posted by: Antigone1000 | September 18, 2008 10:00 AM

Words cannot even begin to express how my heart ached and hurt for these poor pigs. The only satisfaction I can get is knowing that these individuals will be paid back for their cruelty by a much higher source than our judicial system.

Posted by: cindy8793 | September 18, 2008 10:22 AM

Leigh, you said your husband works on this stupid farm. Well, I'm sure he witnessed this abuse and did nothing to stop it. You say the investigator exaggerated the abuse. YOU SAW THE VIDEO!!! What? You think that was staged? No, IT WAS REAL!

Posted by: 4 the Animals | September 18, 2008 10:30 AM

Get 'em PETA...this is horrible and unacceptable behavior. I'd like to do the same thing to those workers in the video. I hope they are prosecuted to the highest extent...!

Posted by: lwg | September 18, 2008 10:59 AM

Yes but God NEVER intended for animals to be exploited in any way shape or form in the name of the almighty dollar which he warned would bring us down and be the demise of MAN.

The almighty dollar has taken God out of MANY MANY MANY peoples lives and will eventually destroy mankind and folks this is EXACTLY what Corp America Greed IS and the stock market is a PRIME example!

Out of the satanic GREED genetic engineering and chemical warfare are included to assure profits stay HIGH regardless of how the animals suffer OR it affects consumer health...hormones, antibiotics, pesticides, msg, who knows what else these evil minds use but the list goes on and on with absolutely NO concern whatsoever for the "people"!

Out of illusions & brainwashing they have created sheeple who believe all the lies and deceit to keep them in business and TV is an EXCELLENT tool, it keeps the masses complacent, they tell you what to eat, where to eat, what drugs to take (along with all the nasty side effects) as all you see is drugs & fast food commercials so believe it or not they TOO control the tube INCLUDING the news, only what THEY want you to see & hear, you didn't see this video on the news or anything about AGRIPROCESSORS!

We The People are ONLY here for the ride and that's IT, mere peasant slaves to them and if you think the TOP elite, the REAL rulers of this county are protecting your assets while taking your rights away, then you're in for a HELLUVA ride as everything being done in this country is ALL for the benefit of the TOP elite bankers and corps which include the pharmaceutical & the meat industry!

If they can do this to the animals can you IMAGINE what they could do to us??? Think about it...

PEACE

Posted by: SHARI | September 18, 2008 12:00 PM

To be perfectly honest I'm more shocked that someone (Leigh) actually took the time to write "My husband worked here during this investigation...etc" on here and try to use that as a defense against the people doing this.

Why don't you ask your husband why in the hell he works somewhere seeing this abuse every single day and doesn't do something about it? Regardless of whether or not "the investigator totally exaggerated the abuse on THAT day" you're still coming out and admitting that 1) there still actually is abuse, and 2) it's occurring on a daily basis.

As far as not "blaming the entire farm for the stupidity of some" as far as I'm concerned the stupidity is extremely widespread if workers, including your husband, are witnessing this everyday and not taking it to the upper management.

Without any question, and no regard to possibly losing my job, I would immediately take the issue up the food chain to the higest management level in existance, and not lay off until something was done.

The fact that your husband worked there and did nothing makes him almost as bad as the people committing the abuse.

I think that the meat eaters of the world should stop trying to justify the abuse that goes on and either stop eating meat, or admit that they are heartless empty shells that have no regard for the value of life.

Posted by: Meagan | September 18, 2008 01:08 PM

Anywhere you go to work, you are bound to encounter people who are sick individuals. You cannot blame the entire farm or Hormel for that matter, for what the people did. The new managers at the farm are trying very hard to clean it up and are already getting rid of these employees. Everyone is so worried about what happened to the pigs. What happens if they close the farm and the people who work there & had nothing to do w/ it lose their jobs & can't support their families anymore? Will we get this much outpouring of concern for our kids when we can't feed them or house them? I doubt it!

Posted by: Leigh | September 18, 2008 01:53 PM

I have been a hog farmer for over 15 years. I have never treated my hogs like that. But lets kept in mind that this video doesn't represent the average farmer!! Those of us that are raising hogs for a living strive to improve the handling of our livestock! These people in the video are NOT HOG FARMERS, they are 9-5 workers that don't care how they treat the animals because tomorrow they will probably be working at Walmart. It's people like this that give the true hog farmers a bad name!!!

Posted by: Dave | September 18, 2008 02:20 PM

I became a vegetarian about a year and a half ago and am now trying to start a group in Regina to protest this kind of thing. Watching this video is like watching a nightmare. Whole species of animals are being born to die, the time they spend alive is hell and now they're being genetically altered to do it better. And that's what all the future babies have to look forward to. The only way I have been able to deal with the crying and nightmarish thoughts that I get from this is the realization that I can take action and fight. So Peta's work here is so greatly appreciated that I don't have words for it. Everything I see in this video should be outlawed and the images make me sick to the stomach. These workers don't seem to like PETA - they can watch as I show everyone this video. Stephen

Posted by: stephen cox | September 18, 2008 02:29 PM

I am a vegan and have watched so many videos that continue to make my soul bleed just thinking about them. However just from the investigators blog I have not been able to watch this video. I truly wonder what has happened to the word "kind" in mankind? Yes these workers are horrific heartless individuals, sorry cannot bring myself to call them human, but unless we all stop believing the propoganda that the meat and dairy indusrties put in front of us the torture will continue. Their commercials are so not true people. The word is that we are becoming immune to antibiotics due to over prescribing....NOT...it is due to all that they give to "factory farm" animals to just keep them going. Why do you thing young girls start menstruating at younger and younger ages, approximately 10 now whne It was about 14 when I was young, it is all because of the hormones that are put in milk. Do you know that we are the only mammals that consume milk as adults and that cows only produce milk when they are with calf. So the dairy industry inpregnates them so that they will produce milk and if the baby is not a female that can be used in the future and is born a male it is either taken away then to become veal or is thrown into the trash heap. The whole time the poor mother is crying and trying her best to clean her new baby. Now tell me they do not have emotions. People that eat the flesh of other living, breathing being are no better than those in the videos, you are walking grave yards. Why? Because your intestines are very long and that piece of meat you ate last week is still inside you. Wild animals that were meant to eat meat have very short intestines and excreet the meat within hours not days. Well now that i have probably pissed off lots of people from my "soapbox" I guess I will close by saying that these places are not farms at all...why do you think they call them slaughterhouses?

Posted by: Charlene | September 18, 2008 03:35 PM

Do you see the fear and desperation in the "blue" pig's face? I do and this is what haunts me. I've been a minimal meat-eater. I'm weaning my self and stopping all together. This is too, too horrible.

Posted by: Laura Bundy | September 18, 2008 04:04 PM

No one see's the good things these people do for the pigs. They have to do these things for the benefit of them and the other animals. everything is done for a reason. the employees give medicine every day to runts and hurt sows. I would love to see anyone here try to move a stubborn pig. there is no way they will go through doors or around crates without giving them exta motivation. if anyone thinks they can do a better job i challenge you to just try it and see how you do. there is so much over exaggertion in this. Pigs have feed every single day. they have water any time they want it and they treat sick pigs every single day.

Posted by: Tyler Vaughan | September 18, 2008 04:05 PM

Leigh - no, not any place that I have worked have I encountered such heartless human beings. The majority of people I have ever talked with like animals and would never hurt them. The people who worked at this farm had some serious mental issues and made a choice to take it out on defenseless loving beings that deserve way more than humans could ever give them. I don't care if the people who worked there lost their job. Big deal! They still have their lives. Those poor pigs don't. Those people can find other jobs. Perhaps they need counseling and therapy for their anger issues!

Posted by: 4 the Animals | September 18, 2008 04:33 PM

I grew up on a farm and was taught respect and compassion for the animals in our care - those used for food and others. Anyone who wasn't sickened by this video and the knowledge that this is taking place cannot have a heart.

Writing to Hormel and their other brands? You bet! Encouraging everyone at my large University to do the same? You bet! Just contacted the foodservices director also. Hormel should have no income at all utnil this abuse grinds to a halt and an inspector is on the property everyday.

Leigh, your husband and anyone else who works at that farm need to be fired and the entire staff, including management replaced in the hope someone can get it right. If your husband stood by and watched and probably participated, and didn't blow the whistle, he is every bit as guilty as those filmed. There is no defense for him or anyone at that facility.

Posted by: Cary | September 18, 2008 04:50 PM

Tyler - Oh, what a life for the pigs! Food and water anytime they want. Give me a break! They are mistreated and spend the entire, short lives in fear because they don't know what is going to happen to them. They have feelings too. And for you to say you'd challenge me to move a pig??? There is no challenge because I would never be there in the first place. I would never treat animals the way that you do.

Posted by: Kate from NY | September 18, 2008 04:59 PM

these morons who work in animal husbandry.. they should be vetted.. shoudlnt' they?.. why are 'any' sicko' or moron allowed to work there or anywhere where they come in contact with animals considering they have a sadistic and callous/cruel streak? you wouldn't let a paedophile work with children.. then why would you let certain characters handle or be in close contact to do what they want with animals?.. I haven't seen the video becuase I know it will upset me immensely and get me all angry and in a rage.. as all animal abuse or cruelty cases do .. but having read some comments.. the guilty parties should be fired.. and black listed never ever to work or come in contact with animals in work or ownership.. whatever ever..
they're just sickos.. and they shoudl just vent out their sick acts of cruelty onto THEMSELVES! and if they happen to permanently maim themselves in the process .. even better..
sick.. sick world..!

Posted by: beth | September 18, 2008 05:29 PM

How is it possible that HORMEL had signed a contract with a producer who treats intelligent and sensitive beings like pigs (who are equal to dogs !!!) with such an atrocious cruelty ? If PETA had not documented in an undercover video footage the unacceptable abuse committed by HORMEL`s provider on lovable beings, these horrors would still have gone on for a long time... So HORMEL`s explanations about "Corporate Responsibility" and"Animal Welfare" are not very credible. Poor animals, poor pigs, handed over to human monsters, before being devoured by them.
Roswitha Marcuzzi.

Posted by: Roswitha Marcuzzi | September 18, 2008 06:00 PM

It disgusts me that anyone could treat animals so awful.

I have a pig that i rescued from a commercial pig farm and he is the most intelligent, trusting and loving animal i could ask for.

He nows sleeps in clean straw and runs around in acres of grass with his other rescued friends, where as before i had him he has lived in a concrete pen with no daylight.

It upsets me so much to think what kind of mind some one must have to be cruel, as i cant get my own head around the idea. It makes me feel sick.

I

Posted by: Laura | September 18, 2008 06:02 PM

I have farm pigs, Yorkshires and a sanctuary for them called: New Dawn MT Farm Sanctuary. Farm animals of various breed live with us in safety and peace. Part of the reason, one of many reasons we did this was driving by the Hormel kill factory. Read on...
Thankyou PETA for the work you do!!
If you drive on I-90 through MN the Hormel factory which looks like an Auschwich-esq place, has a "fun spam" museum out front to lure tourists from noticing on the side road to the back of the kill plant, stocktrucks full of precious pigs going to horrific slaughter. They to this to divert attention. I cried as I drove by Hormel's huge kill factory.
Please stop eating meat and encourage alternatives to use of animal products, so this horror may be a thing of the past at all stages of the life of farm animals-pigs are wonderful animals, most people like pigs, do stop liking ham too!

Posted by: Montana veg | September 18, 2008 06:05 PM

Yes, the video is very disturbing for the people that work on the hog farms and care about their jobs and have a love for the animals. Those people in the video are just there for a paycheck. Them and their manager should be fired and charges brought against them. As for cutting tails and cutting nuts without no pain meds, as soon as you put the pig down it is fine. The pig will holler because you are holding it. I am totally against someone beating a hog.

Posted by: Piglover | September 18, 2008 06:06 PM

I dont even know what to say..... Those are very sick and demented people. I hope they get whats coming to them.
I just recently became a vegetarian and I am so happy that I did. This is awful, I'm definitely going to spread the word. This is just soo disturbing I can't believe it.

Posted by: Kayla crawford | September 18, 2008 06:26 PM

OH MY GOSH!!!!!! How could ANYONE ever do something like this. I have been a vegetarian for 2 years and this just shows me exactly why. Anyone who says PETA is just exaggerating about the cruelty is completely disturbed. I wish these people at that farm could experience everything those pigs go through and they just might think twice. Hire some people with a brain and education past 1st grade. KARMA, KARMA, KARMA!!!!!!!

Posted by: Amanda | September 18, 2008 06:28 PM

i became Vegan about 3 months ago for my health and my health only, but after watching this video I have even more reasons to back up my decision and lifestyle. Oh yeah, and this video on pig abuse made me literally throw up, I think more people need to see this and more people need to be aware of how their consumption is disgusting!!!

Posted by: Natascha | September 18, 2008 06:37 PM

I noticed you ask us to send a polite comment to Hormel
How can you be polite after seeing somrthing like that???
and why weren't those people arrested right away the ownership changing hands has nothing to do with what these people did. They decided to do it themselves they are sick and cruel and need to be held accountable for their own actions

Posted by: P. K | September 18, 2008 07:02 PM

WOW... i worked in a sow unit for two years and people that think they know what goes on there after seeing those videos have no idea... that is about a five minute video out of months these people worked for the company.. it is completely radiculous for them to try and get all kinds of pitty and to exagerate... there were things in this video that are horrible and i definately dont agree with but they were definately taught a different way to deal with the animals.. and like tyler said... there is a TON of good that these workers do for the animals.. so for the people that think they just know what goes on and how bad the units are maybe you should really get your facts straight..

Posted by: Kelsea Tyson | September 18, 2008 07:06 PM

I went to the Hormel website to see what kinds of things they "claimed". I thought this one was interesting: "Hormel Foods is committed to reducing the impact our day-to-day operations have on the environment and ensuring animal welfare."
Hmmm, doesn't look like based on the video I just watched!

Posted by: Kristin | September 18, 2008 07:17 PM

Leigh, i support you 100% i also work on a pig farm in iowa and i have too see this happen on numerous times and i can understand where your husband is coming from, i myself have reported to my supervisors and sometimes nothing is done, sometimes we as co-workers are not in the position to change anything! all we can do is make sure that we do it right!! again leigh you have my support 100%

Posted by: pig farmer | September 18, 2008 07:58 PM

Tyler, what are you trying to say. Extra motivation??? Do you mean like shoving poles up a pigs ass?? Do you call that extra motivation to get the pigs to move??
And what part of the video is exagerrated?? After all it is all caught on video and is hideous to most of us.

I gave up eating meat 4 years ago after my first visit to Farm Sanctuary at which time I realy started to learn about the horrers that go on in Factory farms. I can not support that at all.

Posted by: Susan Johnson | September 18, 2008 08:27 PM

Tyler...Please try and challenge your ideas about pigs. Try for a day to look at them as smart animals and not just uncooperative brutes. The reason they are uncooperative is becuase they are very smart. Smart animals don't volunteer to be placed in gestation crates or other places where they feel confined or unsafe. If they have associated pain or any real stress with a particular place they remember that and stubbornly refuse to go back.

If pigs are treated consitantly with respect and given rewards for desired behavior they are proven to be highly motivated learners. It is our human constraints and expectations on them that make them uncooperative.

Posted by: joanna | September 18, 2008 08:37 PM

I agree with Tyler V. Also the farrowing crates are designed so the sow can't roll over and crush or suffocate the pigs. Out in the open, little pigs get killed by mother sow all the time!! Also I am surprised the undercover team could watch and tape this stuff for weeks and not do something!! I found the video disgusting, and I am sure this is not a normal pork farm. We used to raise cattle and I can relate to having to 'persuade' animals to move when and where you want. I love meat of all kinds and always will,

Posted by: John K. | September 18, 2008 09:13 PM

This video actually made me cry......my stomach is so upset. These idiots should receive the same treatment that they inflict upon these poor animals. This needs to stop.

Posted by: Jamie | September 18, 2008 09:27 PM

I add my outrage in agreement with every person on this blog regarding the horrendous treatment of those humble creatures; but don’t blame Hormel, don’t blame Wal-Mart. Blame yourself! Did you buy Hormel pork tenderloin at King Soopers last week for $3.99 a pound? Where do you think that came from? Americans pay less for food than any industrial nation. Did you give up your cell phone, your cable TV, your SUV, your daily latte/coffee at Starbucks, your lunch at McDonald’s or Burger King or fill-in-the-blank fast food place while objecting that paying a sustainable price for humanely raised pork or beef or chicken or turkey is too much? I’m an omnivore, but I want to know where my food comes from so I can TRY to sleep at night without visions of tortured, suffering, crippled, drugged animals in the human food chain on my mind. Bless PETA!

Posted by: Donna Martin | September 18, 2008 10:04 PM

What do you mean? By the good things those people that abused the pigs and piglets, maybe you should be one of those pigs and maybe you would realize how getting fed and giving them meds would feel like after someone shoving a metal rod up your anus or you vaginal part. Do you think that's humane? You think that happens for a reason? Yes, true I'm sure there are good farmers out there but we are talking about idiots here, stupid isn't even the word that describe these people that did this to the poor pigs and piglets. They are lower than human kind and I don't believe that they should be put into the sitation those pigs were in. Oh you think motivation is they way to describe how these animals were being treated, maybe you should go and read the investagtors blog again and if your smart enough you wouldn't call it motivation. FYI, it's called ANIMAL CRUELTY! They get paid for taking care of those hogs but instead they take advantage of what they had, I pray to god that these types of lower than human kinds falls directly to hell and burn in hells fire forever. Over exageration isn't the way to describe this, this is unacceptable for human and animals. Maybe your one of them and that's why you don't see the wrong in this. Or maybe you do know someone who does this? I think there maybe something wrong with you if your writing that. Yes, I can agree that pigs get fed ever day but what about the abuse? Would you like to get fed every day and like to get hit with a metal rod or even worse if you had a baby and they cut off your baby's testicles or slam his head on the cement. Do you call that right? I was very disturb by this incident, I mean which human that has a decent heart wouldn't be? People that pick on animals or helpless people that can't fight back are cowards! If you think you tough let's put you in a circle and have you surronded by normal people and see what happens....I pray that the animal abusers get worst than just jail time. I hope they get a crow bar up in their anus and see how that feels in jail and never make an earning again. Please do no hire cowards like this. They are just a waste of space in society. Pigs get slaugter but still that's not enough, inhumane people has to put them through torture and pain. Stupid cowards, I really hope that the people in the video that's doing the abuse or anyone out there that abuses animals get the worse of life, your day will come and hopefully not to far away! GO PETA, I hope there will be more supporters, we love our animals! I have emailed all my friends and relative to support you!

Posted by: Chom | September 18, 2008 11:31 PM

To Tyler, You aren't going to make anyone on this site feel better by reassuring them they are fed and watered well. My husband works for a hog barn and PETA doesn't want these animals confined at all. They believe that is cruel alone aside from the dumb @ss*# that choose to brutally harm those animals. I don't believe for a second that those 2 investigators just randomly decided to gain employment, I think they were notified by some employee that couldn't stand what they saw and wanted them exposed with the fear that if they followed their c