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Foster Farms Chicken Massacre

920 chickens clubbed to death at meat processing plant.

Published Oct. 1, 2014


Example:   [Collected via Twitter, October 2014]





 

Origins:   On 20 September 2014, a gruesome scene at a Caruthers, California poultry plant unfolded. Police in Fresno County said that at least one intruder broke into Foster Farms and clubbed 920 chickens to death.

The bizarre crime came to light at around 8:30 in the morning and authorities suspect that more than one individual was involved. In a statement, Foster Farms described the incident as an "unconscionable act of animal cruelty," adding:


This appears to be a random act of violence. It is the express policy of Foster Farms to treat its birds humanely and with compassion. Any intentional act to the contrary is unacceptable."

 

Foster Farms employee Antonio Puentes commented after the incident:


It's crazy that someone would break into the chicken shed to kill them. It's just crazy.

 

Deputy Chris Curtice of the Fresno County Sheriff's Office said of the violent act:


Psychopathic behavior, it's sick behavior. And people who will do this, it can definitely lead to other things.

 

The chickens lost in the incident at Foster Farms were valued at around $5,000. On 2 October 2014, four teenagers were arrested on charges of burglary and animal cruelty in connection with the incident.

Last updated:   8 October 2014

David Mikkelson founded the site now known as snopes.com back in 1994.

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