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A criminal investigation has begun after undercover filming revealed cows being hit with pipes before they were killed at a Devon slaughterhouse.

The Food Standards Agency (FSA) launched the probe after anti-animal abuse organisation Animal Aid released footage taken at the abattoir run by PJ Hayman, in Ottery St Mary.

Animal Aid installed secret cameras inside the slaughterhouse to capture the images.

PJ Hayman, which supplies up-market butchers across Devon, has not responded to phone calls, but told The Times it denies wrongdoing and said the film showed methods used across Europe.

(Image: Animal Aid)

However the FSA confirmed it had taken immediate action on viewing the footage and was investigating.

A spokesman said: “The Food Standards Agency takes animal welfare at abattoirs very seriously and a criminal investigation is under way.”

He added: “Our veterinary staff reviewed the footage received from Animal Aid and appropriate action was taken within 24 hours.

Who are Animal Aid? Animal Aid is an organisation which campaigns peacefully against all animal abuse, and promotes a cruelty-free lifestyle. It advocates that people turn to a vegan diet, eschewing all meat and dairy products. Since 2009 Animal Aid has filmed inside 14 British slaughterhouses, finding evidence of lawbreaking in 13 of them. It opposes intensive farming, vivisection, commercial horse racing, certain aspects of game bird shooting, and calls for "tolerance, compassion and a willingness to concede space to the natural world".

“The introduction of mandatory CCTV in slaughterhouses later this year is part of stronger measures to ensure proper safeguards are introduced to prevent incidents of this nature.”

Animal Aid said the video reveals: “A number of shocking incidents, that would have added to the suffering already caused by the horrific slaughter process.”

(Image: Animal Aid)

The organisation said the video contains scenes which appear to show:

Animals beaten with piping on the body and one struck in the face

a cow being “threatened” and losing her footing on the slippery floor as she tried to get away from the slaughterman

animals left for “significant periods” in stun boxes or in head restraints prior to being killed

a gate being closed on the face of one animal.

(Image: Animal Aid)

An Animal Aid spokesman said: “Slaughterhouses are supposed to make sure stunning pens restrict animals’ movements, so they can be accurately stunned.”

He added: “These animals would already have been disorientated and distressed.

“The level of fear they encountered unimaginable.

“All of this proves there is nothing ‘humane’ about slaughter, whether it be ‘higher welfare’, conventional stun or non-stun.

“The animals never give their lives – they are stolen.”

Since 2009 Animal Aid has filmed inside 14 British slaughterhouses, finding evidence of lawbreaking in 13 of them.

In March 2018, covert recordings by Animal Aid led to the conviction of two slaughtermen for causing unnecessary suffering to animals in Yorkshire.

PJ Hayman is now the 15th slaughterhouse where footage has been obtained by “brave Animal Aid investigators” who placed covert cameras inside.

The abattoir is one of a number of businesses run by the Hayman family at Raxhayes Farm, in Ottery St Mary.

(Image: Animal Aid)

The small slaughterhouse only operates two days a week and is monitored by vets and inspectors.

A spokesman for PJ Hayman told The Times a member of staff seen on the video had his slaughter licence suspended by the regulator.

He said in 140 hours of footage recorded only a few incidents had been highlighted.

He said a standard flexible plastic pipe was used to guide cattle.

Environment minister Michael Gove has ordered all slaughterhouses to install CCTV cameras after animal abuse was exposed in a number of undercover stings.

Cameras must go live from November 5, 2018.

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