MADISON, Wis. (WSAW) -University of Wisconsin-Madison police are investigating after a recent UW-Madison graduate released video he says he secretly recorded inside the university’s meat science facility.
The video involves the facility’s use of carbon dioxide to stun pigs before slaughter.
Ryan Blum said he spent months planning how to get inside to record the process. He said he captured about 83 seconds of video, with less than 30 seconds showing pigs inside what he says is the CO2 chamber.
UW-Madison confirms the building has a carbon dioxide system but says the footage lacks identifying features to verify it was recorded there.
Blum said students deserve to know what is happening.
“And I think students deserve transparency about what goes on their campus, on their public campus,” Blum said. “Where we are standing right now, we’re right across the street from the freshman dorms, from the gym. This isn’t some far away agricultural land; this is right on campus.”
Blum said people should come to their own conclusions after watching his footage.
UW-Madison police told our sister station in Madison that they opened a case related to the video.
The department said in part: “We are currently evaluating the legitimacy of the video and the claims that are being made. The actions remain under investigation and we are in contact with the individual.”
At this time it is unclear whether Blum could face charges.
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