Waxhaw resident pushes to stop cruelty to chickens

WAXHAW, N.C. — Waxhaw resident Curt Albright started a petition to stop cruelty to chickens in North Carolina and more than 191,000 people have signed it.

Albright started the petition after watching a video from animal rights group Compassion Over Killing.

The group said the video shows workers at North Carolina poultry farm, Prince Poultry, burying live chickens.

"I don't think any animal deserves to be treated like that, and I think most people would agree with that statement," said Albright. "If we're not willing to prosecute that, then in essence that it's okay to treat animals in that way."

CLICK HERE: Read more about the petition

Channel 9 found the U.S. Department of Agriculture inspects slaughtered livestock on a daily basis, but chickens are not among the species inspected.

"If this was done to our dogs and cats there would be a major uproar everywhere about this," Albright said.

In North Carolina, it is a felony to maliciously torture or kill any animal.

The petition calls for Attorney General Roy Cooper and other elected officials to enforce this law.

The Attorney General's Office emailed Eyewitness News, stating: "Criminal prosecutions are handled by local District Attorneys. Our office can only prosecute criminal charges when the DA specifically asks us to take the case."

Channel 9 called the district attorney in Hartnett County, where Prince Poultry is located, but haven't heard back.

Channel 9 also called Prince Poultry, but the main number has been disconnected.

One man told Channel 9 he didn't understand what the big deal was -- that chickens are only chickens.

Others disagree.

"They don't have a voice and I do think people should stand up," said Omar Bashi.

The North Carolina Humane Society held its first training session for law enforcement and officers from the area attended.

They learned how to identify neglected and abused fowl.

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