Tewksbury Slaughterhouse Owner Charged With Animal Cruelty

TEWKSBURY, MA —A specialty Tewksbury slaughterhouse is under scrutiny for its slaughter practices, according to a report in the Lowell Sun. Oliveira Farm's owner, Dinis Oliveira, 77, and his employee were both arrested and charged with animal cruelty and conspiracy, after two men said that they saw the owner kill a cow by tying chains around its neck and foot and pulling it apart using a bobcat, until it was decapitated.

Oliveira's lawyer called that description "inaccurate," the Sun's Emma Murphy reported.

Murphy wrote: "On Nov. 2, Dinis Oliveira, 77, owner of Oliveira Farm, was arrested for charges of animal cruelty and conspiracy. He was arraigned in Lowell District Court on Nov. 4 and a pre-trial hearing has been set for Dec. 19. Oliveira’s employee Francisco “Freddy” Menjivar was also arrested and charged with animal cruelty and conspiracy. He’s due back in court the same day."

Continue reading the Lowell Sun article here.

The slaughterhouse is located at 199 Marston St. It has a custom slaughterhouse permit from the state and specializes in kosher and halal slaughtering. Both practices are ritual forms of slaughter required to meet dietary requirements, in the Jewish and Muslim faiths respectively.

The farm's keeping of animals permit is also under review by the town board of health, which opened a hearing at their Tuesday, Nov. 12 meeting. They will continue hearing the issue Thursday.

In a statement to the board of health, Oliveira's lawyer Donald Borenstein wrote, "Although the written statement and reports provided to me by Director Sawyer, are in parts, gruesome, a close inspection of the alleged facts and details specified in those documents shows them to be highly implausible or impossible."

"He has operated the Oliveria Farm for approximately 45 years, where he cares for his livestock in a professional and compassionate manner," Borenstein wrote. "It is my understanding that he is routinely subject to both state and local inspections and that he has been operating in compliance with all rules, regulations, and pursuant to appropriate permits and licenses."

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