Slaughterhouse Catering To Buddhists Sues To Stay In Business

In Rosemead, California, a poultry slaughter house whose customers are primarily Buddhist is suing the city over an ordinance (Rosemead Code of Ordinances, Sec. 17.12.105) that is forcing them to close down.  According to the San Gabriel Valley Tribune, Chinese American Live (Cal) Poultry Vikon, Inc. and its owners, along with one of its customers, filed suit on March 21 claiming that they are being targeted because of their ethnicity, culture and religion. The complaint alleges that to Buddhists, the fresh whole chickens available at Cal Poultry signify rebirth, togetherness and prosperity and are used in Buddhism to worship ancestors. Neighbors of Cal Poultry however complain about odors and escaped chickens.