May 23, 2007

Supplies from US poultry company suspended after alleged animal mistreatment

Denny's, the largest full-service family restaurant chain is suspending purchases from poultry supplier House of Raeford pending further investigation of allegations of mistreatment of animals before slaughter.

Animal welfare group Mercy for Animals, Columbus, Ohio made the accusation based on a video shot by the group.

The poultry company is based in Raeford, North Carolina.

A Denny's spokesman said it has long advocated humane animal handling practices among suppliers and added that in light of the severity of these allegations, further purchases from the supplier would have to be suspended while additional information is gathered.

Although Denny's does not own, raise, transport, or slaughter any animals, the company continues to work within the family restaurant industry to strengthen animal welfare standards, a release said.

Denny's is America's largest full-service family restaurant chain, consisting of 517 company-owned units and more than a thousand franchised and licensed units.