Cocaine discovered in horses destined for slaughterhouse

Horses used for racing spend their lives running as fast as their bodies will allow, pushing through exhaustion and pain to satisfy an industry that treats them as disposable commodities. 

Horses are gentle, sensitive, and deeply trusting animals, yet a groundbreaking investigation by Animal Equality Italy has exposed that many are doped and sent to abattoirs, to be killed for human consumption.

Banned substances discovered

By cross-analysing official databases from the Ministry of Agriculture and the Veterinary and Animal Welfare Service, investigators uncovered that between 2022 and 2025, 180 horses tested positive for dangerous doping agents.

The substances detected include:

• Powerful anti-inflammatories: Phenylbutazone and flunixin.
• Stimulants: Caffeine.
• Banned or illegal substances: Cocaine and dermorphin.

Because these anti-doping tests were only conducted on a random sample basis – mostly targeting winning horses – it is possible that these numbers are much larger in reality.

Laws broken without consequences

At the start of 2026, investigators cross-referenced the microchip numbers of these 180 doped horses with the National Equine Registry. The results were that 10% of these animals were still marked as DPA (destinato alla produzione alimentare) – destined for slaughter and human consumption.

Under strict food production laws, substances like cocaine and dermorphin require an automatic and permanent exclusion from the food chain. Animal Equality specifically identified two horses who tested positive for dermorphin, and another two who tested positive for cocaine metabolites.

Not only were these animals doped against the law, but they will be consumed by people who are unaware of this breach and the substances in their bodies.

Moving forward

After Animal Equality’s discovery, Italy MP Carmen Di Lauro  has announced a new written inquiry addressed directly to the Ministry of Health, demanding accountability for these grave failures.

MP Di Lauro is also pushing for the discussion of four critical bills currently sitting before the Agriculture Committee. Presented by MPs Brambilla, Cherchi, Zanella, and Evi, these bills call for a complete, permanent ban on the slaughter of equines in Italy to protect both animals and the public.

Take Action

Animal Equality works globally to bring awareness and protect farmed animals, but the root of these issues is an industry that profits from animal suffering in many forms. Help us change the reality of millions of animals by standing up against factory farming.

We, the undersigned, join Animal Equality UK in calling on the UK Government to commit to phasing out factory farming and to take immediate action to address the widespread suffering of farmed animals.

Factory farming is one of the most serious moral and environmental crises of our time. Across the UK, billions of animals are confined inside farms where they are treated not as living beings, but as units of production. Chickens are crammed into overcrowded sheds, bred to be so big and heavy that they can barely move. Millions of mother pigs are kept in cages so small they cannot turn around. Cows are separated from their calves just hours after birth and forced to produce milk at unnatural rates. Fish suffer in filthy, crowded underwater cages, many dying before they reach the abattoirs where they are slaughtered.

Animal Equality’s investigative exposés have shown to the public this suffering time and again. We have documented abuse, neglect, and routine legal violations in farms and slaughterhouses across the UK. Despite this, prosecutions are rare, and enforcement of existing animal protection laws remains dangerously inadequate.

The public believes animals deserve protection from cruelty, but factory farming undermines this principle entirely. Not only does it cause immense animal suffering, it also poses serious risks to public health, contributes significantly to climate change, and pollutes our environment.

We are calling on the UK Government to acknowledge that the current system is broken – and to act. Specifically, we urge the Government to:

• Urge the UK Government to phase out factory farming and support kinder alternatives that do not involving exploiting or harming animals
• Support a just transition to a fair, plant-based food system 
• Show that public opinion is shifting, encouraging policymakers and businesses to take action for animals

Other countries are taking steps to address the harms of factory farming. The UK must not fall behind. We have an opportunity to lead by example and build a future that is fairer, more compassionate, and aligned with the values of the British public.

We, the undersigned, urge you to act now – before more animals suffer behind closed doors.
Yours sincerely,

Abigail Penny

Executive Director, Animal Equality UK

Thank you for signing this important petition.

Before you go, remember that we are up against a huge, multi-million-pound industry. That is why if you’re moved to do more, a donation to Animal Equality today will fund the investigations, campaigns, and advocacy work that turn public support into real legal change.

Abigail Penny

Executive Director Animal Equality UK

DONATE NOW

THANK YOU FOR DEFENDING FARMED ANIMALS!

Please, help us spread the word. Share this petition with your friends and family.

An error occurred, please try again later

Help us end factory farming in the UK – SIGN NOW!

Read the petition

First Name

Last Name

Email

By signing, you accept our privacy policy.

You can unsubscribe or amend your preferences at any time.

Tick to be updated on this campaign & receive our e-newsletter with news and appeals (optional)

Sign

Companions Not Food

Like horses, other farmed animals are sensitive and intelligent beings who deserve protection. You can stand up for all animals by choosing plant-based foods. 

Try Plant-Based Today