The slaughtering of goats at a former meat market in Mahoning Township has raised concerns from several residents who question the practice.

Resident Todd Wingert told the board of supervisors on Wednesday that he was there to discuss the “goat situation” at 124 Mahoning Drive E.

Alif Farms LLC is the property owner, while Alif Meat Packing LLC is the facility owner. The business had formerly been Heintzelman’s Meat Market.

Alif Farms said on its Facebook page it specializes in providing live animals (goats, sheep, and cattle) for Qurbani, along with professional halal slaughtering services delivered to doorsteps.

Wingert, who is a nearby property owner, asked, “Are they going to be able to continue using this as a slaughterhouse?”

Board Chairman Robert Slaw told Wingert that a notice of violation has been issued.

Wingert said that over a recent three-day span, he believes the owners celebrated an Islamic holiday that they called a picnic and slaughtered many goats.

Slaw told Wingert he thinks the entire board of supervisors agree this is “egregious” and that it doesn’t want that to happen.

Supervisor Ron Reeser said he believes it’s been over 25 years since slaughtering was done at the facility.

Township zoning officer Steve Wanner said he reached out to the agricultural department and was told someone would get back to him.

Wanner added that on the day he was there last week, there was a USDA inspector there.

Holly Heintzelman questioned whether or not they can butcher there at all. Heintzelman noted that her father sold the business in 1994.

Heintzelman said she doesn’t believe they’re a non-conforming use, which under the township’s ordinance, makes them retail, and added she believes they’ve lost their non-conforming use.

Resident Jim Golden, who lives adjacent to the property, said neighboring property owners expected another retail store to open up when the business recently changed hands.

Golden asked, “Do we want something like this? Is this a practice that’s condoned/allowed?”

Slaw said the township can only stop them through zoning and that it’s not a permitted use.

“This board does not have the authority to shut them down,” Slaw said. “We’ll do what we can (but), we don’t have the authority to stop it.”

Joan Heintzelman said that before they left, there were two goats in her field.

“I don’t want goats in my yard,” Joan Heintzelman said. “If I get them in my yard, I’ll chase them away.”

Resident Sandy Palinchak said there was one 911 call made on Saturday.

Wanner said the property owners are not permitted to have any livestock on their property.

“They’ve been issued a notice of violation,” Wanner said.

Supervisor Deb McGowan said the property owners need to be made aware that the township doesn’t condone their actions.

“They have to know that we don’t approve of what they’re doing,” McGowan said.

Contacted Thursday afternoon, Alif Meat Packing LLC, the current facility owner, issued a statement regarding the concerns.

“As a women-owned, USDA-inspected family business with more than 30 years of industry experience, we take great pride in doing things the right way, which is why it was especially disheartening to hear any concerns about our operations discussed publicly without providing us with the opportunity to participate in the conversation,” the statement reads.

“Our facility is monitored by federal inspectors to ensure humane treatment and compliance with the law, and we have never had a single animal cruelty violation, which is public record.

“Before beginning operations, we secured the necessary processing permits — investing significant time, capital, and care to ensure everything was done properly. We understand that unfamiliar practices can raise questions, especially around religious holidays, but assumptions should never replace facts.

“We are proud to serve our community with transparency, respect, and sincere care for both the animals we process and our customers and neighbors. Our doors remain open to anyone that may have any questions or concerns.”

Heintzelman’s Meat Market shuttered its doors in October.

Before that, the building had been listed for sale for several months.

The business held a soft reopening in April 2023 several months after it was damaged when a smokehouse caught fire in December 2022.

A smokehouse at the meat market also caught fire in July 2020.