From 2021 to 2022 Animal Equality has conducted an extensive investigation into 27 small and medium farms, 6 animal markets and 2 slaughterhouses in the states of Bihar, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Telangana and West Bengal.

In 2017 Animal Equality introduced its first nationwide investigation into dairy farms documenting illegal practices routinely conducted for the production of dairy. 

Findings of the investigation:

Farm workers artificially inseminate female buffalos year after year. Once pregnant, the mother’s milk is taken from her. Once the calf is born, within minutes he will be separated from the mother tied by the neck and prevented from feeding from her mother

Male calves are either sold for slaughter or starved to death as they do not produce any milk. While female calves replace the older ailing females who are no longer fertile. 

It’s common for dairy owners to stuff the body or even just the head of a dead calf with hay, trying to trick the mother into thinking she is feeding her baby.

Workers inject them with oxytocin to stimulate their production of milk

Animal markets meant for sale of agricultural bulls and other animals often facilitate the sale of unproductive animals and male calves for slaughter.

Handlers at the market cram several animals into transport trucks.  They shove sticks or fingers in animals’ genitals and twist and break their tails to get them onto the truck.

These findings are standard practices in all kinds of dairies in villages and cities.

What we are doing:

Most of the practices documented are a blatant violation of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, the Transport Rules, 1978, the Slaughterhouse Rules 2001 and various orders from High Courts and Supreme Court of India.

Animal Equality has presented a list of recommendations to the IndianGovernment to protect these animals.

“We are glad that the Government has introduced sexed semen technology which will help in averting the killing of male calves. However, some other recommendations still remain to be introduced- forming a committee to monitor the health of animals used for the production of dairy, discontinuing tethering of animals and leaving them open in a designated area, effective implementation of the oxytocin prohibition, prohibiting cosmetic practices such as dehorning, tail docking and branding, increasing the minimum penalty to Rs. 20,000 in the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.”

Source : Animal Equality website Jan 10,2023-by – Amruta Ubale, Senior Director of Public Affairs at Animal Equality in India