State Found 12 Violations In Tewksbury Slaughterhouse Inspection

TEWKSBURY, MA — The Tewksbury slaughterhouse whose owner faces criminal charges for animal cruelty complied sufficiently with board of health requests that the board will continue its discussions next month rather than taking immediate action. The Lowell Sun reports that the board decided at their Thursday meeting that requirements they set out last month were met by Oliveira Farms. The slaughterhouse was required to have a state inspection, provide weekly updates to the board, and hire an expert to provide oversight and get the business into compliance.

Meanwhile, owner Dinis Oliveira and employee Francisco Menjivar had their pre-trial hearings Thursday morning. Their next court date, a "compliance and election hearing," is on Feb. 5. Oliveira and Menjivar were arrested and charged with animal cruelty after two men told police they saw a live cow pulled apart with a bobcat, until it was decapitated.

The Sun reports further that the state inspection found 12 violations at the slaughterhouse, and Oliveira's lawyer Donald Borenstein said several have already been addressed. Read more about the board of health hearing here.

Christopher Huffaker can be reached at 412-265-8353 or chris.huffaker@patch.com.