Federal Agents Raid Bay Area Slaughterhouse

PETALUMA (KPIX 5) -- The Bay Area's last remaining slaughterhouse is at the center of a major federal investigation.

Agents from the U.S. Department of Agriculture along with Petaluma police served a search warrant at ta slaughterhouse owned and operated by the Rancho Veal Corporation on Friday.

KPIX 5 observed USDA agents leaving the premises with boxes and loading them into cars.

The Sonoma County beef and veal slaughter facility appeared to still be up and operational while authorities served the warrant.

KPIX 5 tried to speak with owner Jesse John Amaral at his home, but his wife turned our reporter away at the door.

In 2012, the slaughterhouse expanded their operations to include hogs.

This is not the first time the Rancho Veal Corp. slaughterhouse has been in the news. Animal rights advocates such as PETA and ALF have staged protests at the facility.

The USDA has told KPIX 5 they will not be able to shed light on the investigation until Monday.