Investigations

Animal Equality investigated Summit Calf Ranch in Nebraska, which houses 11,000 calves and is owned by Tuls Dairy, a supplier for Bel Brands, producer of Babybel and The Laughing Cow Cheese. Footage shows calves suffering outdoors in freezing temperatures, with frozen limbs, severed hooves, and some dying among piles of dead and dying animals. Animal Equality is urging authorities to consider criminal charges against those responsible.

Between February and April 2019, Animal Equality investigators visited Red Tractor-certified farms in the UK, documenting the suffering of animals confined in double-decker chicken sheds, which hold over 30,000 birds per floor. Many chickens were unable to stand, and carcasses were left to rot among the living. These farms supply major UK retailers, including high-end supermarkets.

Animal Equality investigators documented the cruelty endured by turkeys in hatcheries, factory farms, and slaughterhouses in Spain, exposing practices common in the U.S. Newly hatched birds that don’t meet industry standards are discarded alive. Others suffer mutilations, debilitating injuries caused by rapid growth, or are boiled alive due to inadequate killing methods.

Investigators documented cruelty inside Red Tractor-certified British chicken farms supplying major retailers, following a whistleblower report. Footage reveals birds collapsing under unnaturally large bodies, dead birds left to rot among the living, cannibalism, workers breaking birds’ necks and leaving them to convulse, and repeated kicking and stepping on live birds—showing that certification labels do not prevent suffering.

Animal Equality released footage revealing extreme suffering and cannibalism at Grove Smith Turkeys Ltd in the UK, which supplies high-end retailers, local butchers, and pubs. Filmed in late 2018 at the farm’s Essex site, the investigation shows birds unable to walk being eaten alive by flockmates, severely infected wounds left untreated, and dozens of carcasses left to decompose among the living.

Animal Equality released footage from a cow slaughterhouse in Lombardy, Italy, showing workers mistreating cows by pushing, hitting, inadequately stunning, and slaughtering them while conscious. The investigation revealed widespread regulatory violations and prompted a petition calling for legal reform of Italy’s meat industry.

Animal Equality investigators revisited egg farms in Jalisco, Mexico, in 2017 and 2018. The footage, presented by actor and comedian Eugenio Derbez, highlighted the suffering of hens confined in cages for egg production.

Animal Equality investigators visited a foie gras farm in France, documenting severe suffering. Ducks and geese were confined in barren cages and force-fed with metal tubes, even while public tours were offered. Over 100,000 people in the UK have called for a ban, highlighting that this practice has no place in a compassionate society.