Video captures chicken torture at KFC supplier

An animal rights group investigator captured video showing chickens being kicked, stamped on and thrown against a wall by workers at a supplier for Kentucky Fried Chicken, which has been under pressure since last year over the treatment of animals.

Officials of the fast-food chain, were shown the video yesterday and KFC “will require the employee or employees responsible will be terminated”, said spokeswoman Bonnie Warchauer.

Further violations at the plant will “result in termination of our relationship”, she added.

The video was secretly taken at the Pilgrim’s Pride plant in West Virginia by an investigator for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) who worked there from October to May.

A Pilgrim’s Pride spokesman said that in light of the video, the company would re-open an investigation into earlier claims of cruelty at the plant.

PETA says its investigator also obtained eyewitness testimony about employees “ripping birds’ beaks off, spray painting their faces, twisting their heads off, spitting tobacco into their mouths and eyes, and breaking them in half - all while the birds are still alive”.

PETA has been pressuring KFC since last year, when it sued the company and called for a boycott, demanding that KFC require suppliers to treat animals more humanely.

The group has recently won similar concessions from other major fast-food chains, including McDonald’s and Burger King.