An Animals’ Angels team documents a concerning situation at a slaughterhouse located approximately 100 kilometres from Barcelona. A truck loaded with pigs is parked in the blazing sun with outside temperatures exceeding 35°C. According to the driver, he has to wait over 30 minutes before he is allowed to enter the slaughterhouse premises and unload the animals. In such extreme temperatures and without any measures to protect the animals from the heat, this can be life-threatening for the pigs.
The vehicle lacks an onboard water system, the ventilation fans are not operating (both of which are not even mandatory under EU law for journeys of less than 8 hours) and there is no shade for the animals. The sun beats down directly on the lateral side of the truck and into the compartments. The pigs are visibly suffering from the heat - they are panting heavily and drooling: clear signs of heat stress. One of the pigs we named Bruno, is lying down, breathes with difficulty, and keeps his mouth open. He is breathing heavily and has his mouth open. Just like the others, he has no chance of escaping the heat. Trapped in a hot metal cage. Our team can at least organize for the truck to be parked in an area that is at least partially shaded. Unfortunately, these situations are not isolated cases. Transporting animals in such high temperatures in summer and then not even ensuring that the animals are at least protected from direct sunlight while waiting at the slaughterhouse is irresponsible.
We directly inform the competent authorities and the slaughterhouse operator about this problem and request a thorough investigation into the case and that they take immediate action to prevent future situations in which animals suffer from the heat due to unnecessary waiting times on arrival at the slaughterhouse.
