Animal Equality Exposes Horse Cruelty Inside an Italian Slaugherhouse
Animal Equality has released its first investigation into Italy’s horse meat industry—revealing repeated violations of European and Italian law. Italian TV aired the footage exclusively.
Inside a Northern Italian meat-processing facility, our investigators documented horses, donkeys, mules, and ponies being beaten, improperly stunned, and in some cases, slaughtered while still conscious.
In one of the investigation’s most heartbreaking moments, animals were seen reaching through the bars of their stalls to comfort one another in their final moments.
Italy remains one of Europe’s leading consumers and importers of horse meat. To hold the industry accountable, Animal Equality is pressing officials for action and has filed a criminal complaint against the Zerbini & Ragazzi slaughterhouse.
➡ Watch the full investigation: https://animalequality.org/news/2025/12/10/breaking-news-horse-slaughter-exposed-in-italy/.
In the U.S., horse slaughter is blocked, but the global export pipeline continues—around 20,000 American horses are shipped to Mexico and Canada for slaughter each year.
Your food choices can help transform the lives of animals. Choose compassion, one plant-based meal at a time.
➡ Join Love Veg: https://ae.onl/loveveg-organicvimeo.
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Transcript (English — en)
«We should k*ll him because he’s disgusting.».
These images were collected by
Animal Equality investigators
between 2024 and 2025.
This Italian meat-processing company
claims to set the standard
for industry best practices.
Our cameras reveal
a very different reality.
Every week, dozens of equines
are killed here,
including horses,
donkeys, and mules.
Many arrive after long journeys
from European countries like
France, Poland,
Slovenia,
and Hungary.
Some show clear signs
of a life spent working or being ridden.
Before slaughter, the animals
are kept in the stables for days.
Here, the horses are forced to stand
in filthy, manure-covered conditions.
One night, a horse was found
dead near the stables.
His body had been left abandoned.
The horses are repeatedly beaten with
both rigid and flexible sticks,
even on their muzzles.
In many cases, workers insult,
mock and shout at the animals.
«Old and stup*d!».
«She doesn’t understand a d*mn thing,
she’s a woman […] wh*res!».
«Mor*n!»
However, the most serious irregularities take
place during the stunning and slaughter phases.
After the first stunning, several horses
remain visibly conscious.
Often, after a long delay, the animals are
subjected to a second stunning.
This horse remains alert as his throat
is cut and he is lifted off the ground.
He is stunned again after a
full minute of suffering.
It is routine for two horses to be stunned
simultaneously in the same box.
A practice that increases the likelihood of stunning errors
and leaves animals at greater risk of remaining conscious.
Animal Equality has filed complaints
against the slaughterhouse for multiple violations
of European animal protection laws.
But we want to do more.
Italy is among the largest consumers
of horse meat in Europe
and one of the biggest importers worldwide.
Yet, only 17% of the Italian
population still eats horse meat.
This cruelty must end once and for all.
Together, we can end the slaughter
of horses worldwide.
Give today.
And keep their suffering off your plate
by embracing compassion at every meal with Love Veg.