Slaughterhouse Lock-Down

Animal Liberation activists locked-down in a Melbourne slaughterhouse to protest the cruel and unnecessary slaughter of Australian pigs

Animal Liberation groups from around Australia chained themselves to a Victorian slaughterhouse gas chamber to coincide with the release of damning undercover pig slaughter footage.

The shocking footage from inside Australian pig abattoirs

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Animal Liberation Victoria and Animal Liberation NSW today released footage from a two year undercover investigation detailing horrific pig abuse in Australian abattoirs. Activists from four states carried out non-violent civil disobedience actions at one of the slaughterhouses investigated – chaining themselves to the gas chambers, occupying and dropping banners from the slaughterhouse rooftop, and blockading transport trucks.

The joint campaign details shocking scenes of pigs being mercilessly forced with high amperage electric prods into metal cages, then lowered into a gas chamber where they scream, thrash, kick and struggle to escape as the gas causes burning sensations throughout their bodies and they suffocate.

Most pigs in Australia, including those raised “free range”, are killed in these carbon dioxide gas chambers, which are regarded as “best practice”. The industry tells the public that gas chambers are a humane slaughter method and wants us to believe that the pigs gently fall asleep, however nothing could be further from the truth.

The investigation involved climbing down into a gas chamber while wearing an oxygen tank to position hidden cameras. The activist who did so immediately noticed their eyes burning, which led to the discovery that when carbon dioxide reacts with liquids or mucus coated membranes (like that of the eyes, nostrils, sinuses, throat, and lungs), it forms carbonic acid. From their first lungful of gas, these pigs are burning from the inside out.

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The undercover footage shows the use of a crudely made electric prodder. The worker horrifically shoves the prodder right into the pig’s anus to move the terrified animal forward.

ALV Founder Patty Mark said today that “All activists involved in this action have taken a vow of non-violence and are putting themselves peacefully between the innocent animals and the horrific death that awaits them. We are closing down this slaughterhouse for as long as we can, not just to draw attention to this torturous method of killing, but to draw attention to the violence that is inherent in animal agriculture. This action is an attempt to bring the real concept of peace and respect for others into our troubled world. To strike at the very roots of violence and destruction.”

The action takes place as Canadian animal rights activist Anita Kranjc faces 10 years in prison for giving water to dehydrated pigs. ALV President Noah Hannibal said while locked onto the slaughterhouse gas chamber this morning: “Compassion is not a crime. I challenge anyone who takes issue with what we do here today to view the undercover footage at pigtruth.com. The evidence is undeniable, slaughterhouses are cruel, unethical and unnecessary. It is time to end this senseless slaughter.”

Media Coverage

The slaughterhouse lockdown received extensive media coverage. Below is a sample of some of the articles:

The Age – Animal rights activists chain themselves to pig slaughterhouse ‘gas chamber’ in Laverton

Daily Mail – Horrific video shows pigs being ‘forced into small cages with Tasers’ before they are ‘lowered into gas chambers’ and killed

Herald Sun – Animal Liberation Victoria claims pigs suffer horrific deaths when killed using carbon dioxide

The Australian – Vic activists’ video alleges pig abuse

The Guardian – Police remove animal activists protesting against pork abattoir’s ‘gas chamber’

News.com.au – Diamond Valley Pork Slaughterhouse protest: ‘They’re burning from the inside out’