Deer hung alive at Spain slaughterhouse
- Footage obtained by Animal Equality documents the slaughter of more than 200 deer at an authorized facility in Segovia, Spain.
- Animals were shot in groups without individual separation, with multiple deer remaining conscious and later hung by a single limb while still showing signs of life.
- Authorities have confirmed the findings constitute a violation of the law, and a formal proceeding has been opened.
For the first time, Animal Equality has captured footage of deer slaughter inside an authorized facility in Spain. The footage documents the killing of more than 200 animals at the Vicente de Lucas slaughterhouse in Segovia on March 5, 2025.
The deer were captured at Monte de El Pardo, a protected nature reserve on the outskirts of Madrid, then transported to the slaughterhouse, where they were subjected to handling and antler removal before slaughter began.
Wild animals forced into slaughterhouse
Unlike animals raised on factory farms, deer are wild and unaccustomed to human contact and enclosed spaces. They are highly nervous and easily startled, a sensitivity that can cause extreme stress and even death during handling, transport, and slaughter.
Before the killing began, more than five animals were found dead on the slaughterhouse premises.
The deaths are consistent with crushing or stress-induced cardiac failure. Research on deer behavior shows that even the perception of a threat can significantly elevate heart rate and trigger intense flight responses, particularly under confinement.
Shot in groups, hung alive
The footage showed deer being herded toward the kill area in groups, without individual separation. A worker struck the ground with a stick and waved a plastic bag to force them forward.
Once shot, several deer continued to move their legs, lift their heads, and flick their tails, signs that they had not fully lost consciousness.
Despite these signs, animals were hanged by a single limb while still conscious.
Authorities respond to complaint
European law requires slaughterhouses to prevent unnecessary pain and suffering and ensure animals are unconscious before death. The conditions documented at Vicente de Lucas violate those standards.
Animal Equality filed a formal complaint with the authorities and is calling on the Government of Spain and the Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition to launch a public investigation.
In February 2026, the regional government of Castile and León confirmed that violations had occurred, corrective measures had been applied, and a formal proceeding had been opened.
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Part of a wider pattern
What Animal Equality documented in Spain is not isolated. Similar findings have emerged from investigations at slaughterhouses around the world, pointing to systemic failures in how these facilities operate and are overseen.
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