Multiple law enforcement agencies on Wednesday raided what the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office said is an illegal slaughterhouse.
In a news release, Animal Recovery Mission, an animal rights organization, said the sheriff’s office, along with county, state, and federal agencies, are involved in the investigation at 200 Godwin Road, west of Fort Pierce.
Meghan McRoberts/WPTVARM said Wednesday’s raid is the result of a six-month undercover investigation, during which the organization said it shot video of “violent, criminal acts against animals.”
The organization said the footage showed “goats hoisted upside down” with “their throats slashed and skinned alive,” as well as “alert and reactive pigs pinned down and stabbed in the heart multiple times,” and “evidence consistent with animal fighting and training operations.”
A variety of animals — including dogs, cats, pigs, goats, sheep, cows, and birds — are being rescued from the property and will be taken to ARM’s sanctuary, where they will be rehabilitated and cared for, the organization said.