Spanish pig farm owners face criminal trial for animal cruelty

A nationwide scandal surrounding a pig farm in Spain will finally go before a jury on January 24, 2024. The Carrasco brothers–owners of the Hermanos Carrasco pig farm in the state of Murcia–will stand trial for 14 charges of animal abuse. 

The criminal trial follows a 2018 investigation by Animal Equality, along with journalist, producer, and director Jordi Évole and acclaimed Spanish television program Salvados. The findings were broadcast to the Spanish public, igniting a debate about the factory farming industry in Spain.

The prosecutor in this case has requested 18 months in prison for the Carrasco brothers, along with a ban on animal possession for four years. Meanwhile, Animal Equality has requested charges for 14 counts of animal abuse, demanding a maximum sentence of three years and a 12-year ban on animal possession. 

Journalists and experts to appear in court

Following the Salvados broadcast in February of 2018, Animal Equality filed a complaint against the farm for animal cruelty. Despite overwhelming evidence, the Court of First Instance closed the case. Animal Equality appealed to the Provincial Court of the State of Murcia, which finally agreed to try the defendants. 

Along with the investigative findings, additional evidence will include testimonies by the Salvados television crew, veterinarians, and technicians from the Department of Livestock, who either viewed and analyzed the images or inspected the farm after the program’s broadcast. Javier Moreno, a co-founder of Animal Equality who was present at the farm, will be present at the trial. 

Injuries and cannibalism revealed on “farm of horrors”

As the documentary evidence shows, many of the pigs on the Hermanos Carrasco farm–otherwise known as the “farm of horrors”–were immobilized by large hernias, tumors, deformities, and abscesses. Veterinary care was not provided. 

Video footage also exposed pigs’ corpses rotting among living pigs, along with scenes of cannibalism among the distressed animals. 

“I have entered many farms and I have never seen anything like this,” acknowledged Salvados host Jordi Évole, following the airing of the footage.

This farm has been one of the worst I have seen in my life. The meat industry treats animals as merchandise, and although this is one of the worst farms we have documented, we cannot forget that factory farming conditions are deplorable altogether. It is urgent that we question the entire factory farming system.

Javier Moreno, co-founder of Animal Equality

Major meat corporation cuts ties with cruelty

At the time of the investigation, the Hermanos Carrasco farm supplied pigs to El Pozo, a major European meat corporation. El Pozo declined to participate in the Salvados special.

Despite accusing Salvados and Animal Equality of misrepresenting evidence, El Pozo later severed ties with the Hermanos Carrasco farm. This move came after Belgian supermarkets removed El Pozo products from their shelves due to public outrage.

During the investigation phase of their criminal cases, the Carrasco brothers denied any commercial relationship with El Pozo.

Calling for an end to animal cruelty

While the findings from Hermanos Carrasco have ignited public outrage, Animal Equality’s investigations have exposed a concerning trend on factory farms around the world. 

Investigators have found piglets beaten with hammers on a “high-welfare” farm in the UK, the body parts of dead piglets scattered around an Italian pig farm, pigs beaten with electrified sticks in Brazil, and conscious pigs being thrown into scalding tanks in Mexico. Meanwhile, pigs in the United States are held in cages so small that they can’t turn around for the majority of their lives. 

To combat this cruelty, Animal Equality has launched a petition against factory farming in the United States. You can lend your voice to animals by signing the petition today. 

You can also join millions around the world in replacing bacon, pork, and other animal products with plant proteins. To get started on your plant-based journey, join the Love Veg movement and discover simple recipes along the way.