Mynet is reporting that a group of residents residing in meah Shearim have sent a letter to Mayor Nir Barkat asking him to look into, and deal with, a slaughterhouse that is operating illegally in the neighborhood.

They say they can no longer take the smell and noise, as the "pirate" shechitas are done generally late at night. As well they are concerned about the health ramifications, as there is no supervision and the blood is just washed right out into the street and chicken pieces and guts are thrown right into the garbage can in the street.

The slaughterhouse was in operation, and licensed, until about 4 years ago. At that time it was closed down by the City under Court order, due to not upholding health standards demanded by the veterinary association.

I personally have shechted chickens in this slaughterhouse. A long time ago, when I was learning shechita, one of the places we arranged to go shecht in was this slaughterhouse. I seem to remember then that it was already closed for business, and it took some "protexia" for the guy who arranged it to get us access to this place.

This slaughterhouse was small and a dump. Not because it was run down and filthy, at least not more than any of the other structures in the area, but because it was small and by the nature of its layout was not conducive to a clean environment. I remember we had about 15 guys shechting, and each person was shechting about 10 chickens. Then we cleaned and gutted the chickens, and kashered them as well. The place was disgusting by the time we were done, and the smell was horrendous, though we were already immersed in it and used to it - but when we stepped outside for some air and then came back in, it would hit us.

I totally get the complaint, but also realize that it is extremely unusual for people in Meah Shearim to complain about their own locals to the City. It must have gotten very bad for them to file such a complaint and demand for intervention.