{"id":5609,"date":"2026-07-27T18:40:56","date_gmt":"2026-07-27T18:40:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/?p=5609"},"modified":"2026-07-27T18:40:56","modified_gmt":"2026-07-27T18:40:56","slug":"usda-probes-alleged-inhumane-slaughter-illegal-meat-sales-at-california-halal-ranch","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/?p=5609","title":{"rendered":"USDA probes alleged inhumane slaughter, illegal meat sales at California halal ranch"},"content":{"rendered":"<div><div><p>A halal ranch in Perris is under federal investigation following allegations that livestock were inhumanely slaughtered and that the operation sold meat without required federal inspection, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.<\/p><p>Read more <a href=\"https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/?p=5599\">Map: Cinder Complex ignites near Rock Fire in Eastern Sierra<\/a><\/p>\n<p>The probe stems from a complaint filed June 26 by the national animal advocacy organization Animal Outlook. The complaint alleges Shahnawaz Ranch violated the Federal Meat Inspection Act and the Humane Methods of Slaughter Act and that an\u00a0 affiliated business, SoCal Meat Co., knowingly sold meat processed at the facility despite the lack of required USDA inspection.<\/p>\n<p>A halal ranch raises livestock and may slaughter animals and produce meat in accordance with Islamic dietary practices, which generally require a swift cut to the throat that severs the carotid arteries and other major blood vessels while invoking God\u2019s name and allowing the blood to drain.<\/p>\n<div><ul><div><div><li><div>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"A ranch hand takes down lights at Shahnawaz Ranch in...\" class=\"wp-image-5601\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/aeb1f48212a7cc220a1d165f81a5ee97-1024x682.webp\" width=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/aeb1f48212a7cc220a1d165f81a5ee97-1024x682.webp 1024w, https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/aeb1f48212a7cc220a1d165f81a5ee97-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/aeb1f48212a7cc220a1d165f81a5ee97-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/aeb1f48212a7cc220a1d165f81a5ee97-1536x1023.webp 1536w, https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/aeb1f48212a7cc220a1d165f81a5ee97.webp 1860w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<div>A ranch hand takes down lights at Shahnawaz Ranch in Perris on Tuesday, July 21, 2026  after Riverside County code enforcement issued a cease and desist order for the ranch holding large events and operating a restaurant on site without permits. (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun\/SCNG)\n<\/div><\/div><\/li><li><div>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Restaurant seating and decorations at Shahnawaz Ranch in Perris are...\" class=\"wp-image-5602\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/01ed7ac5be54969f3bd828238c7ac9c5-1024x682.webp\" width=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/01ed7ac5be54969f3bd828238c7ac9c5-1024x682.webp 1024w, https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/01ed7ac5be54969f3bd828238c7ac9c5-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/01ed7ac5be54969f3bd828238c7ac9c5-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/01ed7ac5be54969f3bd828238c7ac9c5-1536x1023.webp 1536w, https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/01ed7ac5be54969f3bd828238c7ac9c5.webp 1860w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<div>Restaurant seating and decorations at Shahnawaz Ranch in Perris are put away during its temporary  closure on Tuesday, July 21, 2026. (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun\/SCNG)\n<\/div><\/div><\/li><li><div>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Restaurant seating and decorations at Shahnawaz Ranch in Perris are...\" class=\"wp-image-5603\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/33e2311bd2ce350695d6b354a769dbb9-1024x682.webp\" width=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/33e2311bd2ce350695d6b354a769dbb9-1024x682.webp 1024w, https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/33e2311bd2ce350695d6b354a769dbb9-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/33e2311bd2ce350695d6b354a769dbb9-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/33e2311bd2ce350695d6b354a769dbb9-1536x1023.webp 1536w, https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/33e2311bd2ce350695d6b354a769dbb9.webp 1860w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<div>Restaurant seating and decorations at Shahnawaz Ranch in Perris are put away during its temporary  closure on Tuesday, July 21, 2026. (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun\/SCNG)\n<\/div><\/div><\/li><li><div>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"A ranch hand waters plants at Shahnawaz Ranch in Perris...\" class=\"wp-image-5604\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1f176eb9980959281a4f0450807b5d74-1024x682.webp\" width=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1f176eb9980959281a4f0450807b5d74-1024x682.webp 1024w, https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1f176eb9980959281a4f0450807b5d74-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1f176eb9980959281a4f0450807b5d74-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1f176eb9980959281a4f0450807b5d74-1536x1023.webp 1536w, https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1f176eb9980959281a4f0450807b5d74.webp 1860w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<div>A ranch hand waters plants at Shahnawaz  Ranch in Perris on Tuesday, July 21, 2026. (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun\/SCNG)\n<\/div><\/div><\/li><li><div>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"The entrance to Shahnawaz Ranch in Perris on Tuesday, July...\" class=\"wp-image-5605\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/32b7b010e3df2c95ffd7d07290328dec-1024x682.webp\" width=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/32b7b010e3df2c95ffd7d07290328dec-1024x682.webp 1024w, https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/32b7b010e3df2c95ffd7d07290328dec-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/32b7b010e3df2c95ffd7d07290328dec-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/32b7b010e3df2c95ffd7d07290328dec-1536x1023.webp 1536w, https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/32b7b010e3df2c95ffd7d07290328dec.webp 1860w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<div>The entrance to Shahnawaz Ranch in Perris on Tuesday, July 21, 2026. (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun\/SCNG)\n<\/div><\/div><\/li><li><div>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Goats being prepared for slaughter at Shahnawaz Ranch in Perris...\" class=\"wp-image-5606\" height=\"564\" src=\"https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/2bbab48574cf06d587dfae7f066fcb36-1024x564.webp\" width=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/2bbab48574cf06d587dfae7f066fcb36-1024x564.webp 1024w, https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/2bbab48574cf06d587dfae7f066fcb36-300x165.webp 300w, https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/2bbab48574cf06d587dfae7f066fcb36-768x423.webp 768w, https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/2bbab48574cf06d587dfae7f066fcb36-1536x846.webp 1536w, https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/2bbab48574cf06d587dfae7f066fcb36.webp 1860w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<div>Goats being prepared for slaughter at Shahnawaz Ranch in Perris on May 27, 2026 during an Eid al-Adha event in celebration of the Islamic holiday. (Courtesy Animal Outlook)\n<\/div><\/div><\/li><li><div>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Goats being prepared for slaughter at Shahnawaz Ranch in Perris...\" class=\"wp-image-5607\" height=\"568\" src=\"https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/2a4d1d4953568c22f589fd52fcc7e5bc-1024x568.webp\" width=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/2a4d1d4953568c22f589fd52fcc7e5bc-1024x568.webp 1024w, https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/2a4d1d4953568c22f589fd52fcc7e5bc-300x166.webp 300w, https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/2a4d1d4953568c22f589fd52fcc7e5bc-768x426.webp 768w, https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/2a4d1d4953568c22f589fd52fcc7e5bc-1536x852.webp 1536w, https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/2a4d1d4953568c22f589fd52fcc7e5bc.webp 1860w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<div>Goats being prepared for slaughter at Shahnawaz Ranch in Perris on May 27, 2026 during an Eid al-Adha event in celebration of the Islamic holiday. (Courtesy Animal Outlook)\n<\/div><\/div><\/li><li><div>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"The entrance to Shahnawaz Ranch in Perris is seen on...\" class=\"wp-image-5608\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/9e31ac2bb404048dd5c0e293765462a1-1024x682.webp\" width=\"1024\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/9e31ac2bb404048dd5c0e293765462a1-1024x682.webp 1024w, https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/9e31ac2bb404048dd5c0e293765462a1-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/9e31ac2bb404048dd5c0e293765462a1-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/9e31ac2bb404048dd5c0e293765462a1-1536x1023.webp 1536w, https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/9e31ac2bb404048dd5c0e293765462a1.webp 1860w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<div>The entrance to Shahnawaz Ranch in Perris is seen on Tuesday, July 21, 2026. (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun\/SCNG)\n<\/div><\/div><\/li><\/div><\/div><\/ul><div><button>Show Caption<\/button><div><span>1<\/span> of <span>8<\/span><\/div><div>A ranch hand takes down lights at Shahnawaz Ranch in Perris on Tuesday, July 21, 2026  after Riverside County code enforcement issued a cease and desist order for the ranch holding large events and operating a restaurant on site without permits. (Photo by Anjali Sharif-Paul, The Sun\/SCNG)\n<\/div><span>Expand<\/span><\/div><\/div>\n<h4>Eid al-Adha videos<\/h4>\n<p>According to the complaint, an Animal Outlook investigator attended a May 27 event at the ranch celebrating the Islamic holiday Eid al-Adha, in which many Muslims mark the holiday by sacrificing livestock and sharing the meat with family, friends and those in need.<\/p>\n<p>According to the complaint, the slaughter practices shown in the videos violated federal standards governing the humane slaughter of livestock and, according to Animal Outlook, were inconsistent with accepted halal slaughter practices.<\/p>\n<p>Video footage shot by Animal Outlook investigator Scott David and obtained by the Southern California News Group allegedly shows men chasing goats around a pen, dragging them by their horns and hind legs into a slaughter area and wrestling them to the ground before cutting their throats.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt would often be a struggle to get the animals from the pens into the slaughter area. Once they were in the slaughter area they\u2019d basically be wrestled to the ground, then someone would come up with a knife and cut into their throats,\u201d David said in a telephone interview. \u201cThe animals would writhe and kick on the ground for awhile, their legs would kick, their tails would fling around. These animals seemed to be alive for awhile after their throats were cut.\u201d<\/p> <div>\n<\/div>\n<h4>Vet declaration<\/h4>\n<p>In a declaration from veterinarian James Reynolds, which Animal Outlook submitted to the USDA with its complaint, Reynolds attests to having seen the videos, concluding that the ranch \u201cengaged in multiple acts of inhumane slaughter and handling, as well as numerous and serious non-conformances with sanitary standards for slaughter facilities.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Reynolds, a veterinarian for more than 40 years who said he is familiar with ritual slaughter, humane slaughter standards and sanitary standards for slaughter facilities and has conducted seminars on the subjects, said the animals in the videos showed signs of sensibility for minutes after their throats were cut, and the goats and sheep were alive for two to three minutes after their throats were cut.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIn one especially egregious incident, and in a second, a worker appeared to begin skinning an animal while the animal still showed signs of consciousness,\u201d Reynolds said in his declaration.<\/p>\n<p>Reynolds also noted multiple unsanitary conditions in the slaughter area, including animals killed and dressed outside, the slaughter area having dirt and gravel nearby, workers wearing street shoes, and animal carcasses strung on a rail in the slaughter area exposed to the sun, wind, flies and dust.<\/p> <div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The USDA confirmed in an email that it became aware of the allegations on July 15, and that its Food Safety and Inspection Service has launched an investigation. An agency spokesperson declined to comment further, citing the pending investigation. According , animals slaughtered under religious practices, including halal methods, must be handled humanely and protected from unnecessary pain or distress.<\/p>\n<h4>Cease and desist<\/h4>\n<p>Just as federal investigators were kicking off their investigation, Riverside County code enforcement and sheriff\u2019s deputies responded to the ranch on July 18 and issued a cease-and-desist order during the ranch\u2019s weekend-long grand opening event. Neighbors had complained that animals were being slaughtered during large events held on the property.<\/p><p>Read more <a href=\"https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/?p=5597\">14 North Bay hotel projects advance despite market headwinds<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u201cNeighbors have been complaining about hearing animals screaming while being butchered,\u201d according to a code enforcement report, which noted a restaurant named Shairaz was operating on the 20-acre undeveloped property on Gustin Road, near Cajalco Road. \u201cThe animals are reportedly being slaughtered and served to guests at the outdoor restaurant,\u201d the report said.<\/p>\n<p>The report also noted that a large tent, refrigerators and outdoor grills were set up on the property, and that about 200 people had attended the grand opening event the day prior.<\/p>\n<p>Code Enforcement Officer Rigoberto Jimenez, who took the report and issued the cease-and-desist order, informed ranch operator and SoCal Meat Co. owner Rafi Khan, who is leasing the 20-acre parcel of undeveloped property, that he had to shut down the event because he did not have permits.<\/p>\n<p>Khan, according to the report, told Jimenez his \u201creputation will go to hell\u201d if he shut down the event, that 300 people had attended the night before and that another 300 attendees were expected that night, according to the report.<\/p>\n<h4>Operations halted<\/h4>\n<p>In a telephone interview, Khan said he has temporarily halted operation of the ranch and restaurant. He said he is working with the county planning department to get permits to operate.<\/p>\n<p>He said animal slaughter will no longer be allowed at the ranch, and that the prior slaughtering was done by customers who purchased the animals and killed them on site. The animals were not slaughtered by ranch hands, Khan said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAs of today, it\u2019s done. It\u2019s gone,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>Khan said he has worked as a halal chef for several catering companies and restaurants in the Southern California region, and dreamed of starting his own halal ranch.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt was my passion. I thought, \u2018Let me give it a shot,\u2019 \u201d Khan said. \u201cAnd here I am, six months later, in trouble.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Khan disputed the allegations from Animal Outlook about the SoCal Meat Co. Although he owns the company, he said it is not affiliated with the ranch and that he buys his meat from legitimate wholesalers and resells it. He said the meat is USDA inspected.<\/p>\n<p>Additionally, Khan said the animals raised on the ranch do not supply the on-site restaurant with its meat. He said two separate vendors run the restaurant.<\/p>\n<p>He said he will not give up, is doing his homework and working to get in line with county ordinances and guidelines to hopefully reopen the ranch and restaurant, or have food trucks in lieu of a restaurant.<\/p><p>Read more <a href=\"https:\/\/nextcitydigest.com\/?p=5595\">Pipe bomb suspect identified by Santa Cruz County Sheriff\u2019s Office<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Khan said he can\u2019t just walk away from it all.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019m too invested in this,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Authorities halted operations at Shahnawaz Ranch in Perris for lack of permits, while the federal government investigates broader allegations of animal abuse.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5600,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5609","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.6 - 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