Hallmark to pay $500 million “symbolic” deterrent in animal abuse case

The former owners of Hallmark Meat Packing Co. will pay $317,000 to settle a landmark federal fraud lawsuit over animal cruelty. The former owners of the plant, Donald Hallmark Sr. and Donald Hallmark Jr., also agreed to a final judgment of $497 million, which was called a symbolic deterrent, as the company declared bankruptcy after the 2008 incident and resulting recall, reports USA Today.

The Humane Society of the United States secretly recorded and released a videotape of workers using electric prods, hoses and forklifts to get downer cattle to walk or be taken into slaughter. The video caused an immediate uproar that eventually led to the largest meat recall in U.S. history.