Investigations
US Horses Await Slaughter in Mexico
In a two-part investigation by Animal Equality, undercover investigators show American horses at the Cárnicas de Jerez slaughterhouse in Zacatecas, Mexico. The horses are identified as coming from the United States by the yellow USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) tag stuck to their bodies. In the second part, Animal Equality releases new images of what happens inside Mexican slaughterhouses. Tired and injured horses are hung by their necks by chains and forced to move with electric shocks after workers wet them. Animals were also found to be killed while conscious.
Crimes Against Buffalo In India Denounced
Animal Equality’s investigation of a dairy farm in India revealed workers abusing a female buffalo as they attempt to load her onto a transport truck headed for the slaughterhouse. Investigators captured images of workers beating and twisting her tail, repeatedly pushing a stick into her genitals to induce pain, causing her to bleed, and pouring water over her nose and mouth to make her feel like she is drowning. Animal Equality has denounced these crimes and provided all the evidence to the Animal Welfare Board of India, Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services, and the Calcutta Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals to ensure the abusers are brought to justice.
Inspections of Lamb Transport Trucks Results In Sanctions
Animal Equality documented lamb transportation during the Easter holiday this April from Eastern Europe to Italian slaughterhouses. Our investigation revealed the suffering of lambs that were unable to stand due to insufficient space, non-functioning watering systems, damaged temperature monitoring systems, and lack of appropriate dividers between animals with horns.
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.
