Attorney General William H Sorrell announced today that Frank Perretta, age 52, has pleaded nolo contendere to a charge of animal cruelty in connection with the operation of Bushway Packing, Inc.
Perretta entered the plea today in Grand Isle County pursuant to a plea agreement with the State. Under the terms of the agreement, Perretta will receive a suspended sentence of zero to one year, pay a fine of $2,000 and will complete 120 hours of community service, not involving work with animals. In addition, the court entered an order that Perretta forfeit any future right to participate in any animal husbandry or slaughterhouse activity.
According to papers filed in court, the charge stemmed from the alleged excessive shocking of a calf being processed at the Bushway Packing plant. Following a complaint by the Humane Society of the United States, which had employed an undercover operative to film conditions at the plant, the US Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General, and Food Safety Inspection Service, conducted an investigation, which resulted in the filing of the criminal charge.
The misdemeanor charge carries a possible sentence of not more than one year imprisonment and not more than $2,000 in fines.
The Bushway Packing plant is no longer in operation.
Source: Vermont AG. 10.27.2010
Owner of Bushway Packing pleads nolo contendere to charge of cruelty to animals
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on