Investigations
Extensive Evidence Exposes Mexico’s Slaughterhouses
Animal Equality has investigated 34 slaughterhouses across Mexico over the past 6 years. The images collected show that cows, pigs, and other animals experience pain, stress, and anguish. Our investigators exposed workers hitting, kicking, and shocking animals with electrical devices. Investigators also found that cows and pigs were still conscious at the time of slaughter due to ineffective stunning. Animal Equality is promoting a historic amendment to the constitution that will legally recognize animals as sentient beings whose interests must be protected in Mexico.
What Happens In Brazil’s Slaughterhouses Without Inspections
In Brazil, legislation aimed at reducing government oversight inside slaughterhouses. This initiative, also known as the “Self-Control” bill, will give slaughterhouses the power to conduct their own inspections. Animal Equality conducted an investigation showing what happens in Brazilian slaughterhouses with limited government inspectors. The main problems documented were: Workers beating, kicking, and shocking the cows; Cows that were fully conscious were slaughtered after being ineffectively stunned; And, cows being skinned and their legs cut while still alive. After the launch of the investigation, more than 40 organizations, including Animal Equality, have united to ask the senators not to approve this law.
Mistreatment of Chickens On Large Italian Factory Farm
Animal Equality releases a new investigation, showing the problematic living conditions of thousands of fast-growing chickens on a large Italian farm. The investigation was carried out on several occasions from 2019 to 2022 by Animal Equality's investigative team in Italy. The images show piles of dead animals among living chickens, and chickens forced to grow so large they are unable to reach their food or water.
Mutilation of Pigs Documented in Mexico
Animal Equality investigated several pig farms in Jalisco, Mexico, documenting the mutilations piglets endure within days of being born. The farmers cut their tails and teeth and castrate the piglets without anesthesia. The investigation also uncovered pigs suffering from injuries without veterinary care and showing signs of severe stress like chewing on metal bars and aggression toward one another due to filthy conditions and overcrowding.
Investigation On Italian Farm Shows Chickens Genetically Suffer
Animal Equality collected the bodies of 7 chickens from an Italian factory farm and brought them to a team of specialized veterinarians who analyzed them. The genetic selection toward faster and bigger growth had significant consequences on the health of the animals, including severe bone damage, poor blood circulation and breathing, and damage to internal organs. Animal Equality in Italy is demanding that the Italian Government, the Minister of Health, and the Minister for Agricultural Policies prohibit breeding animals genetically selected to grow so large and so fast that they spend their entire lives suffering.
The Transport of Lambs from Eastern Europe to Italy
Every year, millions of lambs are slaughtered in Italy. But before they are slaughtered, they are forced to endure a hellish journey all the way from other European countries where they’ve been raised. The journey can be as long as 1,200 miles and it lasts for days, in completely unacceptable conditions. Our investigators followed these lambs on this long journey to the slaughterhouse so their story could be told to the public. We also documented violations of the law that caused great suffering to these animals, and we reported these offenses to the authorities. Our investigation was conducted in collaboration with the German organization Animal Welfare Foundation (AWF) and the National Animal Protection Agency of Italy (ENPA).
Mexican Pig Slaughterhouse in Hidalgo Investigated and Denounced
Animal Equality has uncovered acts of cruelty committed against pigs at the 22nd slaughterhouse investigated in Mexico, this time at the Rastro Municipal Regional in Tizayuca, Hidalgo. With the footage compiled by our investigators, we filed three complaints with the proper authorities: the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of the Government of Mexico, the State Attorney’s Office for Environmental Protection of the Government of Hidalgo, and the Ministry of Health of the Government of Hidalgo, demanding that the acts of cruelty be sanctioned and eradicated.
Cows Kicked and Punched On Madox Welsh Dairy Farm
Animal Equality's investigator covertly filmed disturbing scenes of violence and suffering on Madox Farm in Carmarthenshire, South Wales. The footage, spanning several months, reveals workers kicking and punching cows in the face and stomach, twisting their tails, and hitting them with sharp, metal shovels. Managers on Madox Farm were also found on several occasions to leave cows to suffer in severe, prolonged pain knowingly. On one occasion, a cow was left in excruciating pain after her unborn calf had died inside of her. Madox Farm supplies milk to Freshways, the UK’s largest independent dairy processor. Footage from the investigation was broadcast to millions of people on BBC’s Panorama.
Asphyxiated: Cruel Disregard for Fish in Mexico’s Aquaculture Industry
Animal Equality infiltrated tilapia farms in Mexico for the first time and uncovered the suffering these animals face at the hands of aquaculture due to the lack of laws protecting them from cruelty. In addition to the deplorable hygienic and sanitary conditions in which the fish are forced to live in the farms investigated, it is common practice in the industry for them to be killed without being stunned. Animal Equality is working to educate consumers and increase protections for fish.
Animals Killed While Conscious at U.S. Catfish Slaughterhouse
Animal Equality investigated Simmons Farm Raised Catfish slaughterhouse, located in Yazoo City, Mississippi. Simmons is one of the largest USDA inspected catfish slaughterhouses in the U.S., supplying grocery stores Kroger, Save a Lot, and Piggly Wiggly, as well as restaurant chains Cracker Barrel and Captain D’s. Our investigative team found numerous instances of animal abuse and suffering—incidents that are in violation of existing state animal cruelty laws. For example, we documented fish kept out of water for prolonged periods up to an hour before they were finally beheaded while conscious.