Investigations
Ducks and Geese Force-Fed for Cruel Foie Gras
Animal Equality investigators visited a foie gras farm to witness the production of the cruel ‘delicacy’ first hand. To our amazement, many farms in France offer public tours, open to families. We were welcomed onto one and filmed ducks and geese suffering severely in barren, wire cages and terrified birds struggling while being ruthlessly force fed with metal tubes. If the cruelty we filmed on this farm is the most humane way that foie gras can be produced, then it clearly has no place in a compassionate society. Over 100,000 people have asked for a ban in the United Kingdom.
Turkeys Eaten Alive on Award-Winning Farm
Animal Equality released footage showing extreme suffering and cannibalism on an award-winning farm in the United Kingdom, Grove Smith Turkeys Ltd, which supplies turkey high-end retailers, local butcher shops and pubs. Filmed by our investigators in late 2018 at Hubbard’s Farm in Essex – Grove Smith Turkeys’ main site – the shocking footage shows birds unable to walk being eaten alive by flockmates, birds with severely infected wounds left untreated, and dozens of birds left to rot among the living, some for so long they had decomposed into skeletons.
Abuse and Cannibalism Filmed on Certified Chicken Farms
Investigators gathered footage from within Red Tractor-Certified British chicken farms supplying major retailers after a whistleblower reported the cruel treatment of animals. Our investigation—which shows how labels and certificates don’t prevent animals from suffering—revealed dozens of birds collapsed under the weight of their unnaturally large bodies and unable to stand, dead birds left to rot among the living, leading to cannibalism on at least one farm, workers breaking birds’ necks and leaving them to convulse amidst the flock, dying birds thrown onto a pile and left to suffer for hours, and workers deliberately kicking and stepping on birds repeatedly.
High Rise of Hell: Massive Chicken Sheds Exposed
Our investigators visited Red Tractor-certified farms in the United Kingdom multiple times between February and April 2019 and found shocking cruelty within the massive double-decker chicken sheds, which held over 30,000 birds on each floor. They saw many chickens unable to stand, which is unfortunately common in the chicken industry, and carcasses left to rot for days amongst the living birds. These farms supply chicken to major retailers in the UK, including high-end supermarkets. The conditions documented on these farms are far from what most consumers would consider to be “high-welfare.”
Sheep Brutally Killed in Farmers Fresh Wales Slaughterhouse
Our investigator went undercover at Farmers Fresh Wales slaughterhouse in Wrexham, North Wales, and witnessed unimaginable cruelty. Sheep and lambs were decapitated in front of each other, corpses were piled on the backs of live sheep on a conveyor belt, and the use of inadequate machinery resulted in animals becoming painfully trapped and hanging in mid air. What was most shocking, though, was that cruelty in this slaughterhouse had been uncovered previously by Animal Aid, and that much of this suffering took place with a Food Standards Agency inspector present.
Horror of Mexican Backyard Lamb Slaughterhouses
Animal Equality Mexico investigated the country’s illegal slaughterhouses and brought to light the cruel treatment and slaughter of lambs and sheep. They witnessed lambs and sheep fully-conscious as they were tied up and decapitated, and in full view of other animals awaiting slaughter. We are currently working with lawmakers in Mexico to criminalize these places and the people who operate them.
Actor Eugenio Derbez Speaks Out for Hens in Mexico
Animal Equality’s investigation team re-visited Mexican egg production facilities in Jalisco, Mexico in August, 2017 and March and August, 2018. The footage was presented by actor, comedian and television show host Eugenio Derbez, who helped raise awareness about the miserable lives of caged hens raised for eggs.
Abuse Found at German Egg Producer
Investigators exposed horrific and unsanitary conditions in one of Germany’s biggest egg-producing facilities, which supplies eggs to the biggest supermarket and discount grocery chains in the country, showing a frightening sight of sickness, filth, and death.
The Truth About Bullfighting in El Escorial
Animal Equality investigators documented the suffering of calves that were publicly killed in El Escorial, a town in Madrid, for a local bullfighting event. Video footage shows the animals screaming, bleeding, and being tortured by participants of the festival, who used spears to maim the animals until they collapsed.
Suffering on Italian Egg Farm Continues
A year after our first investigation of an Italian egg farm, we sent our investigators back to document what changes had been made. Although we had reported our initial findings to the authorities, the new footage we obtained showed that conditions on the farm had worsened.
