Vt. slaughterhouse closed for inhumane treatment

MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) - A Vermont slaughterhouse closed Friday for alleged inhumane treatment of baby calves had its operating license suspended three times earlier this year for similar conduct.

U.S. Department of Agriculture records show Bushway Packing Inc. of Grand Isle was closed for a day in May, again in June and again in July after an inspector cited it for inhumane treatment of animals.

The revelation came Monday as the Humane Society of the United States released more video footage taken with a hidden camera during a summer investigation.

The video showed days-old male calves being dragged, kicked, shocked with electric prods and cut while conscious.

The Humane Society's chief operating officer, Michael Markarian, says two calves appeared to be skinned alive.