Chickens are boiled alive at abattoir

MORE than 4,000 serious breaches of animal welfare have occurred at abattoirs in the last two years.

In one case chickens were boiled alive. Other episodes included a cow slammed violently against a wall, bulls beaten with an electric prod and cattle being kicked.

Many involved sheep dragged by the horns, or pigs lifted by their ears and tails.

Each single breach of the Food Standards Agency rules can involve cruelty to hundreds of animals.

Figures released under Freedom of Information laws show an average of six incidents a day were in the most serious category.

MP Neil Parish said: “There is no place for cruelty at any stage, including the slaughterhouse. This country prides itself as having some of the highest animal welfare standards.”