Former Vt. slaughterhouse worker pleads not guilty to animal cruelty charge

NORTH HERO, Vt. – NORTH HERO, Vt. (AP) — A former worker at a now-closed Vermont slaughterhouse says he's not guilty of cruelty charges that accuse him of abusing calves headed for slaughter.

Thirty-seven-year-old Christopher Gaudette, of Grand Isle, entered not guilty pleas Thursday to two misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty and one felony count of aggravated cruelty.

Bushway Packing Inc. was shut down Oct. 30 after the Humane Society of the United States released undercover video showing calves being kicked and poked with electric prods.

Gaudette, who faces up to five years in prison and $9,000 in fines if convicted, is one of two charged. The other is Bushway co-owner Frank Perretta, of Grand Isle. Perretta remains at large.

___

Information from: The Burlington Free Press, http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com