Images of suffering in farm animals

Photos of animal cruelty

Below are examples of animal suffering from around the world. Click on a photo or on "Read more" for the explanation.

For many more photos of animals that are not free, visit Jo-Anne McArthur. Farm Transparency offers an extensive overview with photos and videos about the reality of factory farming.

Laying hens

Laying hens in a barren cage. They cannot spread their wings, scratch or lay their eggs in a nest.

Barren battery cages have been banned in the EU since 2012. In many other countries they are still common.

International transports

Animals are sometimes transported for days over long distances, also to countries outside Europe. Animals that become weak on the way are often treated roughly.

Sows

A sow in a farrowing crate cannot turn around for weeks. Her piglets are taken from her after a few weeks.

Pigs for fattening

Pigs for fattening live on a slatted floor in a crowded shed. They never go outside.

Calves

Calves are taken from their mothers shortly after birth. Many are transported over long distances at a very young age.

Turkeys

Turkeys have been bred to be so heavy that many of them can hardly walk.

Geese and foie gras

Geese and ducks have food pushed down their throats through a tube until their liver is sickly large.

Force-feeding is banned in many countries. Yet foie gras is still produced in France, Hungary, Bulgaria and Spain. It is sold almost everywhere.

Fur bearing animals

A mink in a small wire cage, waiting to be killed for its fur.

A growing number of countries ban fur farming, such as the United Kingdom and the Netherlands. In other countries it continues.

Sheep on transport

Sheep on a truck gasping for fresh air. A report of a deadly international transport.

Read the report

Dolphins and bycatch

Fishing also kills dolphins, porpoises and seabirds as bycatch. Fish themselves feel pain too.

Circus

A horse in the circus, between noise and bright lights.

Many countries ban wild animals in circuses, including most EU countries. Domestic animals such as horses and dogs are usually still allowed.