Animal Equality’s groundbreaking investigation uncovers horses being beaten, slaughtered for meat in Spain

More than ten years after exposing Spain’s horsemeat industry, Animal Defense and award-winning photojournalist Aitor Garmendia are back for another investigation.

Between November 2023 and May 2024, investigators obtained the following at a slaughterhouse in Asturias:

• A worker use a stick to hit the horseforcing them to walk.
• The horses lined up behind a small stable where they were staying. were slaughtered in front of each other.
• A horse try to escape slaughter area after witnessing the death of a companion.
• Horses are stunned and improperly alert at the time of slaughter, with some bleed to deathwrithing in pain or showing other signs of life.

We have been denouncing this industry for many years and conducting investigations both in Spain and abroad. We can assure you that animal abuse is all too common. Consumers need to know the truth behind horse meat

Javier Moreno, co-founder of Animal Equality

Although horse meat consumption has decreased, Spain remains the largest producer of horse meat in the European Union. Much of this is exported to Italy and France, where horse meat consumption is much more common.

Exposing a deadly industry

Animal Equality’s global campaign against horse slaughter has attracted nearly 300,000 petition signatures. More than 130,000 petition signatures have been collected in the US alone.

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Although the consumption of horse meat is banned in the United States, more than 20,000 horses are still exported to Mexico and Canada for slaughter each year. To shed light on this issue, Animal Welfare has released a two-part document. investigation of Mexico’s horse meat industry in 2022.

In the first part of this investigation, investigators documented American horses being held at a slaughterhouse in Zacatecas, Mexico. A horse was identified by its USDA sticker and its origin was confirmed by a veterinarian.

Many of the horses at this slaughterhouse were shipped from an auction in Bowie, Texas. After generations of breeding, riding and other activities, these horses endured grueling 17-hour journeys in overcrowded trucks, resulting in injuries and aggression.

In the second part of its investigation, Animal Equality filmed a slaughterhouse in Arriaga, Chiapas. Here, investigators discovered blatant violations of Mexico’s Official Standards, which aim to reduce unnecessary animal suffering. The animals were hung by chains and suffocated while conscious, beaten with sticks, and incapacitated before slaughter.

Animal Equality’s ongoing campaign continues to expose the horsemeat industry, push for stronger protections and an end to its cruelty.

You can ensure the protection of all animals

While these noble and sensitive animals continue to suffer for meat, Animal Equality investigations have shown that pigs, cows, chickens, sheep and other animals suffer a similar fate. from behind factory farm doors.

Via Sign up for the Love Veg newsletter, you’ll find out why millions of people are choosing plant-based alternatives to meat, dairy and eggs to end this cruelty. Encourage your loved ones to check in with you to expand this circle of kindness.

Once you download the digital Love Veg cookbook, you can take immediate action for animals by becoming an Animal Equality advocate. This support can empower our investigators to continue exposing cruelty, launch campaigns against corporate abuse, and advocate for stronger animal protection laws.

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