WASHINGTON – A U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) report just obtained by PETA reveals that more than 2,000 turkeys died at a Perdue Foods slaughterhouse in Daviess County, Indiana, after being caged this summer for more than 24 hours in extreme heat without food or water.
In response, PETA sent an urgent letter to Daviess County Prosecutor Abby Brown, urging her to investigate and file appropriate criminal charges against those responsible.
According to the report, thousands of turkeys were hauled to the slaughterhouse on or about June 23, but instead of slaughtering them that day, Perdue personnel left the birds caged for more than 24 hours in heat exceeding 90 degrees. As a result, more than 2,000 of the turkeys died or were in such poor condition that their slaughtered remains were later “condemned” by the USDA.
“These terrified turkeys endured a prolonged and agonizing death at Perdue’s slaughterhouse in the sweltering heat with no food or water or chance to escape,” says PETA’s Vice President of Legal Advocacy Daniel Paden. “PETA is calling for a criminal investigation on behalf of these turkeys and urges everyone to please go vegan to help spare more animals from suffering in slaughterhouses.”
PETA is pursuing charges under state law because federal officials haven’t prosecuted any inspected slaughterhouses for acts of abuse since at least 2007.
PETA’s letter to Brown follows.
December 2, 2025
The Honorable Abby Brown
Daviess County Prosecutor
Dear Ms. Brown:
I’m writing to request that your office (and a law-enforcement agency, as necessary) file applicable criminal charges against Perdue Foods LLC and/or the individual(s) responsible for the egregious suffering of more than 2,000 turkeys kept caged for more than 24 hours in extreme heat—and without food and water—in June at 65 South 200 West in Washington.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) documented the incident in a report that the agency recently made available to the public. (See attachment.) According to the report, these animals were hauled to the slaughterhouse on or about June 23, as the local temperature was approximately 94 degrees. Rather than slaughtering these birds on that day, Perdue personnel chose to hold them overnight—without food and water—until June 24, when the temperature reached approximately 93 degrees.
The animals were exposed to such “extreme heat for over 24 hours.” Meanwhile, half of Perdue’s misters—which might have otherwise made the animals slightly less hot—were “clogged, and not working properly,” causing the birds “distress.” As a result, more than 2,000 animals died prior to their planned slaughter or were in such poor condition that their slaughtered remains were later “condemned” by FSIS inspectors.
Please note that FSIS’ action carries no criminal or civil penalties and does not preempt criminal liability under state law for acts of cruelty to animals.
The conduct described above appears to violate Indiana Code § 35-46-3-7, which prohibits anyone from “recklessly, knowingly, or intentionally … neglect[ing]” any vertebrate animal. Leaving more than 2,000 caged animals exposed to extreme heat for more than 24 hours, without sustenance, hardly represents the “acceptable farm management practices” or authorized slaughter-related conduct otherwise exempt from prosecution. Indiana law affords these thousands of victims their only chance at a small measure of justice. We urge your office to seek it.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Daniel Paden
Vice President of Legal Advocacy
cc: Chief Derrick Devine, Washington Police Department
PETA, whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to eat or abuse in any other way” points out that Every Animal Is Someone and offers free Empathy Kits and vegan starter kits for those looking to make the switch. For more information, visit PETA.org or follow PETA on X, Facebook, or Instagram.
