Ministry shutters slaughterhouse over alleged animal abuse

The agriculture ministry has ordered the indefinite closure of Israel’s largest slaughterhouse, an official says, following an investigative report exposing cruel treatment of animals.

Agriculture Minister Uri Ariel ordered the Dabbah slaughterhouse in northern Israel to immediately cease activities “following suspected violations of the animal welfare act and slaughtering regulations,” his office says Tuesday.

The decision came following a request from Australian veterinary authorities, who received footage and details from rights group Animals Australia of the alleged violations.

Footage broadcast on Israel’s privately-owned Channel 2 on Sunday showed Dabbah employees beating calves with sticks and electrifying them with shockers on their way to being killed.

— AFP