WASHINGTON — The Humane Society of the United States called on Congress Wednesday to enact strong safeguards against the mistreatment of animals headed for slaughter after finding sick and injured livestock mistreated at auction sites and stockyards in four states.

As a follow-up to an investigation three months ago that led to the largest beef recall in U.S. history, the group unveiled video footage Wednesday that showed so-called downed cows suffering at auction sites and stockyards in Texas, New Mexico, Maryland and Pennsylvania.

Wayne Pacelle, president and chief executive officer of the organization, told reporters Wednesday that its investigators found "very disturbing and appalling images of mistreatment of animals at the auctions and stockyards where animals are delivered for purchase."

Among their findings were two downed cows left in a parking lot on April 1 at the Livestock Exchange in Hereford, Texas. Investigators saw the distressed cows languish for hours while Exchange workers passed by, taking no action.

In another case, a downed dairy cow was left overnight without water or shelter behind the Westminster auction in Maryland on April 22.

Investigators notified auction officials and eventually called the Carroll County Humane Society to euthanize the cow the next morning.

Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-3, and Rep. Chris Shays, R-4, said Wednesday they were appalled by the latest footage.

"The humane treatment of animals speaks to our nation's

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core values, and this cruelty reflects poorly on our country as a whole," Shays said. "Our government can have a tremendous impact in encouraging improved treatment of animals by requiring producers to meet basic federal animal welfare requirements."

DeLauro said she would continue to press for stronger regulations to eliminate loopholes that allow downed cattle to be slaughtered for the food supply.

"Unfortunately, preventing animal cruelty and preventing animals at greater risk for foodborne illnesses from entering the food supply does not appear to be a USDA priority. I commend the U.S. Humane Society for their continued investigations," she said.

Shays said he has introduced legislation to ensure more humane treatment of farm animals raised for consumption and plans a second bill that would declare that it is U.S. policy that "the raising, handling, transport and slaughter of animals must be done humanely."

In February, the Humane Society unveiled video footage of downed cattle being mistreated at a Southern California slaughter plant. As a result, the U.S. Department of Agriculture initiated the nation's largest recall of beef, including some that was delivered to the Bridgeport public school system. Downed cattle may pose a higher risk of contamination from E. coli, salmonella or mad cow disease.

While there was no indication that the latest cows entered the food supply, Pacelle said the investigation reveals systemic problems in the handling of animals intended for our dinner tables.

"Every place that we looked, we found downed animals," he said. "No one is watching. No one is taking responsibility for these animals."

Pacelle urged U.S. Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer to expedite regulations that would require more humane treatment of animals destined for the food supply, at every step from producer to slaughter. And, he asked Congress to weigh in on the issue.

Schafer said that he met with the Humane Society last week to discuss its investigation and is reaching out to states and industry groups to address this issue.

Jim Santomaso, president of industry trade group the Livestock Marketing Association, Wednesday blasted the Humane Society even as it pledged to "work immediately with the businesses where the improper handling reportedly occurred."

Santomaso questioned whether the Humane Society was genuinely concerned about the welfare of the animals, since those filming the reported mishandling observed and did nothing about animals in distress, sometimes for several hours.

"They did so rather than bringing the matter to the attention of the market operator, calling into question their genuine concern for animal welfare," he said. "HSUS is clearly not supportive of the livestock and meat industry. Their advocacy of a meatless diet is well known, totally ignoring the work of the livestock and meat industry in providing wholesome, nutritious meat products to global consumers."

Pacelle said the investigators did notify auction and exchange officials at three of the four sites where they filmed. At the Texas site, the downed cow was in a parking lot where it was obvious that staff passed by unconcerned by the animal in distress.

Moreover, Pacelle said that they were conducting an investigation and not an intervention. The aim, he said, is to get "lasting institutional solutions" rather than a "one-off solution for an individual animal."