Investigations
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Pig Farm in Catalonia, Spain, Exposed and Denounced
Animal Equality has denounced sanitation irregularities, animal abuse, and possible environmental crimes after documenting the conditions of the animals on a pig farm in Catalonia, Spain, where the highest concentration of intensive pig farms are located.
Mistreatment Found on Brescia Pig Farms
In collaboration with Italian television, Animal Equality released an investigation that reveals the cruel reality for pigs bred for meat in Northern Italy—a region that markets its products with the stamp of the "excellence of Made in Italy." Working with Italian journalist Roberta Spinelli, our team visited a pig farm in Brescia, Italy, and documented terrible abuse and suffering—images in stark contrast from the idyllic picture of contented animals on green pastures often painted by the region’s producers.
Scottish Salmon Killed While Conscious
Animal Equality released undercover footage from a slaughter facility operated by The Scottish Salmon Company, a supplier of major UK supermarkets, as well as numerous international retailers, including in the US. The pioneering footage, shot by an undercover investigator and featured in The Times, is the first of its kind to be released in the UK and shows the brutal nature in which farmed salmon are killed.
