Dairy cows:
violence and abuse
An undercover investigation by Essere Animali has revealed the appalling conditions for cows and calves on some intensive dairy farms.
The images come from the hidden cameras of two undercover investigators from Essere Animali who worked on farms in northern Italy.
Abuse in violation of the law is only part of the problem. In fact, even when the law is respected, the industrial production of milk still leads to suffering and death for cows and calves.
Horn Tissue
Burned Off
The base of the horn is burned with a hot iron to inhibit its growth. this is a very painful and illegal operation, as it should be performed by a veterinarian and with the use of anaesthesia. on dairy farms, all animals are dehorned to avoid risks to workers.
Calves
In Cages
During the first weeks of their life, calves are imprisoned in single pens. even though they are just babies, they are kept in conditions of extreme deprivation. males are slaughtered after 6 months for meat, while females will become dairy cows in turn.
Hit With
Iron Rods
We filmed workers kicking cows and hitting them with iron rods.
Artificial
Insemination
In intensive farming systems, cows are inseminated on a regular cycle to ensure milk production. often, they are even brought into heat through the use of chemicals.
Exhausted Cows
Unable To Stand
Due to the overproduction of milk and the conditions on the farm, some cows – exhausted and wounded – are no longer able to stand. this is known as the “downed cow” phenomenon. although it is illegal, as well as inhumane, we filmed animals left untreated for days and moved using a forklift truck.
Zero
Grazing
No chance of grazing: in italy, over 2 million cows are imprisoned inside sheds without ever having access to pasture. they live in these conditions for 4-5 years, until their milk production drops and they are sent to the slaughterhouse. cows can actually live to be 20 years old.
Calves Torn
From Their Mothers
Cows and calves are separated a few minutes after birth, as their milk is destined for human consumption. this is traumatic for both of them: the cow greatly suffers from the loss of her calf that will never know its mother’s love and care. the calves are transported to their pens with a tractor and dumped on the ground.
Bleeding
Hooves
Dirt, poor hygiene in barns and poor nutrition lead to serious hoof infections.
Of all the violence that I witnessed, what affected me the most were the exchanges of looks, often with the same calves who came back to greet me day after day, looks that only I experienced and will never see again. Calves who, happy to have dry straw, celebrated by jumping; the smallest of things made them happy because no one was present to share that joy except them, in the solitude of their tiny box. I watched them try to play with the other calves, but the bars of the cages kept them from each other.
You can’t be loved in these places. There, far away and invisible to our eyes, there is no chance of loving.
Paolo our investigator
Everything and anything is done to the cows: they hit them to make them move, they fertilise them with one arm up the rectum, tear newborn calves away from their mothers… and I have seen them do all these terrible things with a violence that has become routine, making them appear legitimate.
Alberto our investigator
Did you know that
Milk is for calves
Cows are mammals and produce milk only after pregnancy and birth, so they can feed their young.
Birth
When the time comes to give birth the cows move away from the herd, isolating themselves as much as possible.
Social animals
They establish hierarchies and form a group with well-organised rules.
Emotional bonds
They make very strong connections and usually select a favourite partner, with whom they spend most of their time.
They need us!
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