Animal Equality exposes cruel treatment in Argentine slaughterhouses

Animal Equality has documented and exposed the cruel practices carried out by the animal agriculture industry in cow and pig slaughterhouses in Argentina, specifically at the Santa Giulia and Vidal S.A. facilities, located in Buenos Aires. This marks the first time that we have published an investigation conducted in Argentina.

The footage reveals systematic animal suffering through illegal practices, a lack of official inspections, and cruel procedures that remain unregulated.

Serious violations of regulations

The evidence documented by Animal Equality’s investigative team at both Buenos Aires slaughterhouses reveals recurring violations of Law No. 18.819 and the Animal Welfare Manual issued by the National Service for Agrifood Health and Quality (SENASA). Frequent violations include:

• Use of sledgehammers to attempt to stun cows. This was among one of the most severe violations that we uncovered and this painful practice is explicitly prohibited by Law No. 18.819. Despite the ban, it is used commonly and repeatedly, with cows being struck multiple times on the head.
  
• More than one cow in the stunning box. Regulations require that stunning be carried out with only one cow at a time, to prevent them from injuring each other.
  
• Use of electric prods in prohibited areas. In pig slaughterhouses, our investigators documented electric shocks to the anogenital area, an illegal practice that causes animal suffering.
  

As a result, Animal Equality filed a formal complaint to SENASA, which is currently reviewing the submitted evidence. We also documented systemic practices that – while not explicitly banned by law – severely impact animal welfare, including hitting, shouting, pulling, poking, or twisting tails. Evidently, there is an urgent need to expand legal protections for the animals trapped in this exploitative system.

If this investigation by Animal Equality showed the same situation with dogs or cats, the country and the world would be outraged. Animal rights should not depend on the species. They all want and deserve to live, free from practices that harm or kill them. I’m joining this campaign to build a world with more love, empathy, respect, and awareness. Join us and be part of the change with Animal Equality.

 — Kiki Petrone, activist, actor, and comedian

Animals exploited for human consumption are thinking, feeling beings that deserve to live free from the systemic suffering imposed by the meat industry. Compassion is a universal value, and there’s no doubt that Argentine society supports animal protection.
— Dulce Ramírez, Vice-President of Animal Equality for Latin America

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