Animal Groups Refile Complaint Over Alleged Texas Slaughterhouse Cruelty

MONTAGUE, Texas - The Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF) and Animal Partisan filed a criminal complaint with Judge Glen Neff in Montague, Texas, Precinct 2, asking the court to issue a summons for the slaughterhouse Buck N' Bull Meatworx, LLC, as well as its owner, Richard Bowden, for alleged violations of the state's Cruelty to Livestock statute. The complaint stems from a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) inspection report, which reveals the inspector witnessed Bowden shoot a bull a total of four times, with the first three shots failing to cause enough brain damage to knock the bull instantly unconscious as required by humane slaughter protocols.

"The mental and physical suffering that this bull endured after being shot repeatedly is not only inhumane, but, as we argue in our complaint, a clear violation of Texas law," said Maggie Marshall, Criminal Justice Program Fellow at ALDF.

According to the USDA report, on September 11, 2024, while working at Buck N' Bull Meatworx, Bowden fired a small-caliber rifle at a bull's head in an attempt to stun the animal for slaughter. The bull, however, remained upright and conscious and was visibly bleeding from his head. Bowden reloaded the weapon and fired a second shot, but the bull still remained fully conscious and standing. He then reloaded and fired the rifle for a third time at the head of the bull, but the animal again remained upright and conscious. Only after the fourth shot, administered after an undisclosed amount of time, did the bull finally fall to the ground and lose consciousness. The USDA report further noted that there was no backup firearm within reach of Bowden and that the bull's head had not been properly restrained.

As part of the compliant, Dr. Susan Krebsbach, DVM, submitted an affidavit concluding, "Standing posture is a recognized indicator of consciousness in cattle, and therefore, the bull was conscious during all three stun attempts. As a veterinarian educated on slaughter practices, I can confidently conclude that the bull experienced pain because he was conscious."

The groups' complaint argues that Bowden's actions are criminal under Texas's Cruelty to Livestock statute, which prohibits "any act that causes unjustifiable pain or suffering" and that Buck N' Bull Meatworx, as a limited liability company, is also criminally liable for Bowden's actions.

The groups filed the complaint under Article 15.03 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, which authorizes a magistrate to issue an arrest warrant or summons when "any person" swears that another has committed an offense. This complaint was initially filed in November 2025 with Justice of the Peace Jack Pigg, who declined to allow the groups' attorney to swear to it. Instead, he ordered that the groups submit the complaint to law enforcement and the District Attorney's Office. The groups complied, but despite repeated follow-ups received no response. Judge Glen Neff replaced former Justice of the Peace Jack Pigg in March 2026. Judge Glen Neff, who replaced former Justice of the Peace Jack Pigg back in March.

"Texas law empowers any person to come forward and swear to a complaint when a crime occurs," said Marshall. "We are doing exactly that here because the law must be enforced to protect all animals from cruelty-including animals in slaughterhouses."

The Animal Legal Defense Fund and Animal Partisan are further represented in this case by Robyn Katz.