Last week, Watonwan County Attorney Stephen Lindee announced that he will not be pursuing criminal charges against Butterfield Foods. The food-processing plant had been the target of a Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) undercover investigation for two months in late 2014. The HSUS had stated that it had compiled evidence that the plant had inhumanely slaughtered hens. Allegations included that Butterfield Foods did not adequately assure chickens were completely stunned and killed before being sent to be scalded and their feathers removed.
Lindee stated that the video the HSUS presented, along with their report, did not demonstrate criminal behavior. He did, however, note that there could be regulatory issues, but those concerns are beyond his authority.