Congress To Subpoena Owner Of CA Slaughterhouse

LOS ANGELES (AP) – Members of Congress say they want answers from the owner of a Southern California slaughterhouse involved in last month’s massive beef recall.

Congressman John Dingell says members of a House oversight subcommittee will meet Wednesday to vote for a subpoena of Hallmark/Westland Meat Co. owner Steve Mendell.

The Michigan Democrat says Mendell will be required to testify next week on Capitol Hill. Mendell was a no-show at a meeting of the subcommittee last week.

Federal officials recalled 143 million pounds of beef last month after the Humane Society of the United States released undercover video showing workers at the slaughterhouse abusing sick and crippled cows.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)