Investigations
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.
Undercover Investigation Inside Chick-Fil-A Supplier
A new undercover investigation by Animal Equality reveals shocking violations of animal cruelty laws in a major U.S. hatchery. Hours-old chicks are routinely crushed and mutilated by high-speed automated processing machinery and left to suffer and die of their injuries. Chicks often drown, are scalded to death and left to languish on the facility floor or in discarded waste before they are sent to be ground up alive. Animal Equality is seeking justice for these crimes by demanding that charges be filed against Foster Farms for their serious violations of California’s animal cruelty laws.
The Egg Industry’s Practice of Forced Molting
Animal Equality released an investigation into the forced fasting hens to increase their egg protection, a cruel practice called “forced molting.” The investigation took place in Mexico’s top egg-producing state, Jalisco. In concert with this investigation, we’ve presented an initiative in the Congress of Jalisco that calls for a ban on forced molting.
Mummified Animals Found on Italian Farm
Animal Equality released an investigation documenting suffering and abuse on a pig farm in Lombardy, Italy, affiliated with the Bompieri Group, whose products are known through a marketing slogan to be the “Excellence of Made in Italy.” The investigation—carried out in collaboration with local Italian television—reveals poor and unsanitary living conditions, as well as sewage spills that could put the surrounding environment at risk. The footage also shows the mummified and worm-filled carcasses of dead pigs abandoned in the corridors of the farm, in violation of animal disposal laws.
Pregnant Cows Killed in Brazilian Slaughterhouses
Animal Equality released a shocking investigation into Brazil’s meat industry and its practice of slaughtering pregnant cows. Considered an animal mistreatment practice and condemned by experts, we have urged Brazil’s government to forbid the killings of these at-risk animals.
Mexico’s Factory Farms are an Environmental Nightmare
Animal Equality in Mexico released a new report with alarming figures on the impact that animal farming has on the environment. The report follows the 2020 release of the short documentary, Enemy of the Planet, which was produced using drones that flew over two industrial pig farms in Jalisco, Mexico, and showed visible ecological damage due to the farms’ operation. Faced with overwhelming and shocking evidence, we reported 44 farms to the authorities for acts and omissions that are causing ecological imbalances and damage to the environment.
Pigs Hammered to Death on “High Welfare” UK Farm
Animal Equality released disturbing footage of animal suffering filmed at P&G Sleigh Pig Unit in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Our investigator filmed very troubling scenes as well as a number of serious legal violations on the farm, which is owned by senior pig industry figure, Philip Sleigh. Pigs raised on the “quality assured” farm are slaughtered at a nearby abattoir contracted by Pilgrim’s Pride, a large meat company that supplies Lidl, Tesco, and Marks & Spencer amongst other major restaurants and retailers.
Fish Farms in India Leave Animals to Suffocate
Animal Equality exposed India’s fishery and aquaculture sector with our team witnessing fish suffering in a variety of ways. One such practice is “fish milking,” an extremely painful process in which the eggs from a female fish are squeezed out by hand. In these farms, fishes are killed by asphyxiation as workers pull them from the water and put them on ice to slowly and agonizingly suffocate to death.