Investigations

A new Animal Equality investigation exposes severe animal cruelty at a major U.S. hatchery. Hours-old chicks are routinely crushed, mutilated, drowned, scalded, or left to suffer on facility floors or in waste before being ground up alive. Animal Equality is calling for legal action against Foster Farms for violations of California’s animal cruelty laws.

For the first time, Animal Equality investigated tilapia farms in Mexico, uncovering severe suffering caused by the lack of legal protections. Fish were forced to live in filthy, overcrowded conditions, and it is common for them to be killed without stunning. Animal Equality is working to raise consumer awareness and advocate for stronger protections for farmed fish.

Animal Equality has documented acts of cruelty against pigs at its 22nd investigated slaughterhouse in Mexico, this time at Rastro Municipal Regional in Tizayuca, Hidalgo. Investigators filed complaints with Mexico’s Ministry of Agriculture, Hidalgo’s Environmental Protection Attorney, and the Ministry of Health, calling for sanctions and action to end the abuse.

Animal Equality investigated Simmons Farm Raised Catfish in Yazoo City, Mississippi, one of the largest USDA-inspected catfish slaughterhouses in the U.S., supplying Kroger, Save a Lot, Piggly Wiggly, Cracker Barrel, and Captain D’s. Investigators documented widespread abuse, including fish left out of water for up to an hour before being beheaded while conscious—violations of state animal cruelty laws.

Animal Equality released an investigation into the forced fasting of hens to increase their egg production, a practice called “forced molting.” The investigation took place in Mexico’s top egg-producing state, Jalisco. Following the investigation, we’ve presented an initiative in the Congress of Jalisco that calls for a ban on forced molting.

Animal Equality released an investigation exposing abuse and neglect at a Lombardy, Italy, pig farm affiliated with the Bompieri Group, known for marketing its products as the “Excellence of Made in Italy.” Conducted with local Italian television, the investigation documents filthy living conditions, sewage spills, and mummified, worm-filled pig carcasses abandoned in the farm corridors—violating animal disposal laws and threatening the environment.

Animal Equality has released a shocking investigation into Brazil’s meat industry, exposing the routine slaughter of pregnant cows. Experts condemn this as severe animal mistreatment, and Animal Equality is calling on the Brazilian government to ban the practice.

Animal Equality released footage documenting animal suffering at P&G Sleigh Pig Unit in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Investigators recorded concerning conditions and several legal violations on the farm, owned by pig industry figure Philip Sleigh. Pigs raised at the “quality assured” farm are sent to a nearby slaughterhouse contracted by Pilgrim’s Pride, which supplies major retailers and restaurants, including Lidl, Tesco, and Marks & Spencer.

Animal Equality Mexico has released a report revealing the environmental impact of industrial animal farming. Following the 2020 short documentary Enemy of the Planet, which used drone footage to show ecological damage at two Jalisco pig farms, the organization reported 44 farms to authorities for activities causing environmental harm and ecological imbalance.

Animal Equality exposed cruelty in India’s fishery and aquaculture sector, documenting widespread fish suffering. Investigators observed “fish milking,” a painful process in which eggs are manually extracted from females, and noted that many fish are killed by slow asphyxiation after being removed from water and placed on ice.

Animal Equality has denounced sanitation irregularities, animal abuse, and possible environmental crimes after documenting conditions on a pig farm in Catalonia, Spain. The region is home to the highest concentration of intensive pig farms in the country.

In collaboration with Italian television, Animal Equality released an investigation exposing the reality for pigs raised for meat in Northern Italy—a region promoting its products as the “Excellence of Made in Italy.” Working with journalist Roberta Spinelli, our team visited a Brescia pig farm and documented severe abuse and suffering, revealing conditions far removed from the idyllic image of contented animals on green pastures often presented by local producers.