On Friday, the pen manager who oversaw some of the worst documented abuses of downed animals at the now infamous Hallmark Meat Company pled guilty to two counts of felony animal cruelty and two misdemeanor counts of cruelty to downed animals. San Bernardino County District Attorney Michael A. Ramos charged Daniel Navarro with animal cruelty in the aftermath of shocking disclosures from an undercover investigation by The Humane Society of the United States.

"We applaud District Attorney Ramos for obtaining a felony conviction against one of the key players in the gross abuse of cows at the Hallmark slaughter plant," said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The Humane Society of the United States. "Because of his decision to prosecute this case vigorously, justice is being served in this case. We hope the judge now imposes an appropriately strong sentence."

In the plea deal accepted today, Navarro was convicted of two felony counts of animal cruelty under California Penal Code section 597(b), and two misdemeanor counts of unlawfully moving a downed animal under section 599f(c). Navarro faces sentencing on August 25, 2008, which includes mandatory counseling, probation for three years which includes a prohibition on contact with animals, and the possibility of jail time. The conviction marks a milestone because animals raised for meat, eggs, and milk in the United States are normally denied -- either because of legal loopholes, cultural disregard or by virtue of being kept out of public sight -- the most basic protections afforded other animals.

Hallmark principally slaughtered "spent" dairy cows for the Westland Meat Co., which was the nation's No. 2 supplier of ground beef for the National School Lunch Program. Many of these animals were unable to stand and walk. An HSUS investigator filmed slaughter plant employees routinely beating cows to try to make them rise. Cows were repeatedly shocked in the face and eyes with electric prods, and even rammed with the blades of a forklift. This abuse was inflicted on these feeble animals in efforts to make them lumber to their feet just long enough to be slaughtered -- this, despite the known risks that such animals may be harboring foodborne pathogens such as E. coli 0157:H7 and Salmonella, or even infected with bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE, or "mad cow disease").

Cruelty charges against Hallmark employees were brought under California's animal protection law that prohibits maiming, mutilating, torturing or wounding an animal. Cal. Pen. § 597(b). Employees were also charged with violating state law, which prohibits using a mechanical device to push or drag cows who are unable to stand or walk. Such animals must be humanely euthanized or humanely removed. Cal. Pen. § 599(f). The state legislature is considering several bills to strength farm animal protection laws, including A.B. 2098 by Assemblyman Paul Krekorian.

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Photo courtesy The Humane Society of the United States.