Los Angeles, CA – Two Orthodox Jewish organizations were on cited on Friday by investigators from the California Department of Food and Agriculture for operating kaparot slaughterhouses without proper state licenses.

The LOS ANGELES TIMES http://lat.ms/1giqPor is reporting that investigators were dispatched to Los Angeles’ Pico-Robertson section following repeated complaints from animal rights activists and liberal religious faith leaders that the Orthodox groups were conducting “inhumane” slaughter.

The Sephardic Orthodox outreach group, Bait Aaron, which was conducting kaparot services from a makeshift tent behind its location on Pico Blvd., and synagogue Ohel Moshe, also on Pico Blvd., which was performing the ritual out of an impermanent plywood structure in its parking lot, were the two groups cited.

“I told them what they’re doing is against state law,” said investigator Rhett Dunn, who added that officials from both Orthodox groups were more than accommodating.

“They were very, very friendly and helpful,” Dunn said. “I provided them with information so that if they want to do it next year, they can go through channels.”