After the surfacing of a video from within the Central Valley Meat Co.'s slaughterhouse, federal regulators shut down the facilities to investigate, on Monday.

Footage of the slaughterhouse reveals sickly animals who are hardly able to walk, being sloppily slaughtered by workers. Animals which are sick are not to be slaughtered for human consumption under federal regulations. The investigation underway is looking to see whether these sick animals were used for the human supply of meat production, which could personally injure many.

Whether the sick animals were indeed slaughtered and if the company's meat products ought to be recalled will be determined by the investigation, spokesman for the USDA Food Safety Inspection Services, Justin DeJong said.

Operations were suspended on Monday, in Hanford after the USDA had received footage on Friday from Compassion Over Killing, an animal welfare group. The gruesome footage shows animals, repeatedly and unsuccessfully shot by a pneumatic gun to leave the animals unconscious, bleeding and flailing.

According to federal regulations, to diminish avoidable pain during slaughter, a single shot from a pneumatic gun should fire a bolt should be fired, piercing the brain through the skull, which leaves the animal unconscious.

Investigators are looking to see if whether the animals in the video were simply lame or if they were sick,  which means the meat could not be used for human consumption.

"That's the main issue right now," DeJong told the A.P. in an interview.

The Central Valley Meat Co., which is owned by Brian and Lawrence Coelho, have declined to comment on the video, claiming company leaders have not seen it.

"We were extremely disturbed to be informed by the USDA that … our plant could not operate based upon a videotape that was provided to the department by a third-party group that alleged inhumane treatment of animals on our property," a statement said.

Video coverage, taken by an undercover investigator from Compassion Over Killing who worked at the slaughterhouse in June and July, show cattle lying, unable to move in their pens. One clip showed cattle unable to stand, with swollen udders.

In other footage, a downed cow trembles and is unable to stand even as workers pull her by the tail.

The USDA's Office of Inspector General sent investigators within hours of seeing the footage who found "egregious inhumane handling and treatment of livestock."

Two inspectors were posted at the site although federal investigators, in regards to whether the two inspectors had been negligent, that the investigation was underway.

The footage reveals many other instances of inhumane treatment to the cattle. The video will be released on the Compassion Over Killing website.

Reminiscent of the 2008 case of the Hallmark slaughter plant, in Chino which was the largest recall of beef ever in the United States and convicted two people.

If the meat is in fact recalled many ailments could arise. If you or someone you know is personally injured by the possible negligence, it is important to seek legal help.