Decatur residents gather to rally against slaughterhouse

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WPTA) - Protesters gathered outside Decatur City Hall Monday evening for a rally against a new slaughterhouse that could come to the city.

At Formula Boats, management had a petition available for employees to sign Monday afternoon. They say they’re against this cattle slaughterhouse because of what they say are environmental issues. They’re worried it would bring a smell to the area and that it would be too loud.

“If this slaughterhouse comes in, we’ll have a huge problem of the smell of animal waste being drawn in from our west doors,” Formula Boats Project Engineer Jason Brune said. “I can’t imagine what I’d do on a hot summer day where we have to make the unfortunate choice between getting breeze or keeping the smell out.”

If approved, the slaughterhouse would go on Chamber Drive, in the old “Dean’s” plant. Opponents also say they feel putting a slaughterhouse in the city, would overpopulate the area.

“No one stood up in the town for this, but over 100 people attended that meeting, and many of them spoke against this,” Formula Boats Marketing Manager Jean Brune said. “Yet every single one of those members voted for this, and they did not listen to the citizenry whatsoever.”

Those in favor of the slaughterhouse say it’ll bring more jobs to the area and help alleviate supply chain problems.

Slaughterhouses are currently not allowed in city limits because of an ordinance, but city council is being asked to amend that ordinance to allow for the slaughterhouse during their meeting Tuesday night.