To the editor:

Recently an undercover investigator for PETA released footage taken at Pilgrim’s Pride, a federally inspected chicken processing plant that was recipient of 24 industry awards over the past 14 years. Workers at the plant were videotaped torturing the chickens by stomping on them, kicking them, slamming them into walls, ripping off their beaks, twisting off their heads, spitting tobacco into their eyes and mouths, spray-painting their faces, and tying their legs together.

The inhumane handling of chickens during processing is common in the industry and difficult to avoid due to the fast-paced nature of the slaughterhouse. Most people will agree that the sadistic behavior of the workers was wrong, but few will hesitate to forgo their next meal of chicken.

I implore anyone horrified by the reports of this torture to think twice when offered your next piece of chicken, or any animal for that matter. Cows, pigs, turkeys, and even fish all suffer horribly when processed for food. Animal Outreach of Kansas has vegetarian starter kits available in stands along Massachusetts Street (Seventh, Eighth and Ninth street intersections), as well as at the Merc, for anyone interested in removing meat from their diets.

Megan Willesen,

Lawrence