Inside India’s Goat Meat Industry: Cruel and Illegal Practices Exposed
A recent undercover investigation by Animal Equality has revealed shocking cruelty and widespread illegalities in goat farming, transport, and slaughter. Conducted across Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand and Bihar, the investigation uncovered systematic abuse and law violations.
A Glimpse Into the Cruelty
Animal Equality’s team visited 7 farms, 5 markets, and 4 slaughter facilities and documented the horrific treatment of goats in India’s meat industry. What they found was disturbing:
1. Brutal Handling by Workers
Goats were hit, dragged, pulled, and pushed—treated as mere objects rather than sentient beings capable of pain and fear.
2. Filthy and Cramped Living Conditions
At farms, goats were crammed into tiny cages or tethered with short ropes, restricting their movement and preventing them from engaging in natural behaviors.
3. Complete Lack of Veterinary Care
Many goats were found with old, untreated injuries and illness, indicating severe neglect. Their suffering was ignored, with no access to medical attention.
4. Deprivation at Markets
At markets, goats were kept tied with short ropes for long hours, often without food, water, or shelter, further worsening their distress.
5. Dangerous Transport
Some goats were stuffed onto bikes, an unsafe and illegal practice. Others arrived at markets dead, unable to withstand the brutal conditions of transport.
6. Clear Violations of Transport Laws
According to India’s Transport Rules of 1978, each goat must be given 0.16 square meters of space during transportation. However, investigators found goats crammed into overcrowded tempos and trucks, unable to move.
7. Gruesome and Illegal Slaughter Practices
During slaughter, goats were killed without stunning, enduring immense pain as their throats were slit while fully conscious. Their bodies were then pumped with air to facilitate skinning.
8. Illegal Slaughter Operations
By law, animals must be slaughtered in licensed facilities, but the investigation found goats being killed in unregulated meat shops and open markets, violating multiple animal welfare and food safety regulations.
Breaking the Law, Ignoring the Suffering
“These cruel practices violate the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act of 1960 and multiple regulations formed there in meant to protect animals. Yet, at every facility we investigated, these laws were blatantly ignored. The suffering of these animals is not just cruel—it is illegal and must be stopped.” said Amruta Ubale, Executive Director of Animal Equality.
What we are doing:
The evidence is undeniable—India’s goat meat industry is rife with systemic cruelty and lawlessness. Animal Equality is calling on authorities to take immediate action. Animal Equality has presented a list of recommendations to the government to protect animals from these abuses and requested the government to introduce rules for the welfare of goats as it has been done for hens and chickens.
How you can help:
Animal Equality has a petition addressed to the Government of India to introduce the recommendations presented by Animal Equality to protect goats. You can help us by signing and sharing our petition. By sharing our investigations, you help us expose the truth about the industry, create public awareness, and convince policymakers to change the laws to protect animals born into a cycle of abuse and suffering.
However, real change starts with us. As consumers, we have the power to reject industries that exploit and harm animals. By choosing plant-based foods, we can end our contribution to this suffering and promote a more compassionate world.The choice is in our hands. Will we continue to support cruelty, or will we stand for kindness? Visit Love Veg to learn more about plant-based diet.
LIVE KINDLY
With rich emotional lives and unbreakable family bonds, farmed animals deserve to be protected. You can build a kinder world by replacing animal food products with plant-based ones.
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