Excerpts from the USDA's surveillance program of stockyards which was undertaken between 1991 and 1997....

Describing a case in Amarillo, TX, the USDA reported: "...respondent failed to provide reasonable services and care in connection with the unloading of a disabled cow so as to prevent unnecessary damage, injury and suffering. Instead, the disabled cow was unloaded at the stockyard, with the assistance of stockyard employees, by fastening one end of a chain around the neck of the animal and the other end to a stationary post, and driving the truck from under the animal, causing it to be dragged across the floor of the trailer, up a cleated ramp, and dropped approximately four feet out the back of the trailer to the ground. The cow remained alive, conscious and disabled, unable to stand, at the stockyard [for two days], when it was destroyed."

Describing a case near Maury City, TN, the USDA reported: "...respondent failed to provide reasonable services and care in connection with the handling and prompt disposition of a nonambulatory animal so as to prevent unnecessary damage, injury and suffering. The nonambulatory animal, a disabled cow without value for slaughter, was left lying in a muddy outdoor pen, without shelter, feed, or water for approximately two days during which time it was exposed to freezing temperatures and rain. The cow remained conscious, disabled and unable to stand [for two days] when it was allegedly destroyed."

Describing a case near Phoenix, AZ, the USDA reported: "...respondent failed to provide reasonable services and care in connection with the care of a disabled cow so as to prevent unnecessary damage, injury and suffering. The disabled cow was unloaded at the stockyard by respondent's employee from a customer's trailer. Once the disabled cow was removed from the trailer, it was placed in a bobcat vehicle and unloaded in a an area where a renderer picks up respondent's dead animals. The disabled cow was placed next to a dead steer and left to expire naturally in heat in excess of 100 degrees fahrenheit with no shelter, food or water for approximately three hours. Respondent failed to make adequate arrangements for the care of the disabled cow nor did it attempt to obtain medical assistance, or to euthanize the animal."

When the USDA surveyed stockyards to ascertain whether downed animals were accepted for sale, it reported:

"During the interview phase of the investigation, the market representative or person interviewed was directly asked if the market accepted nonambulatory livestock and if so, under what conditions?

1,179 stockyards (83%) said: No - they are not accepted. 236 stockyards (17%) said: Yes - they are accepted.

Though many market representatives responded without hesitation that they would turn downers away from their doors, it became evident that some stockyards did not have a firm "no downer" policy in place and would make exceptions depending on the consignor, trucker, or other circumstance. Later, as the reviews progressed, the question was answered with a little hedging. Market owners would frequently state they will refuse to accept downers for sale through the ring but will unload them from trucks and trailers in order to send them to the rendering plant as a service to their customer. They also would "pull" them off a truck to provide room for unloading "physically sound" livestock."

On euthanizing downed animals, the USDA reported:

"Most markets professed a willingness to destroy a nonambulatory animal when it appears the prognosis for recovery is slim or the animal has no economic value. The method of choice expressed by most market owners is the use of a handgun or rifle, although at least two markets alleged it is illegal to discharge a firearm in their locality and therefore cannot use such a means to destroy an animal. Very few markets stated they would use lethal injection administered by a veterinarian as a means of disposal. No stockyard indicated using a captive bolt weapon to euthanize an animal.

A number of markets claim they have never destroyed an animal and will not do so under any circumstance. When pressed further on the subject, most claim they will leave the animal alone, thereby passing the euthanasia chore on to the rendering company or else let the animal die from natural causes.

One Iowa stockyard was investigated and issued a warning letter for supposedly shooting an animal and then placing it in the dead area for pickup by the renderer. The animal was later observed to be unconscious but still breathing."