What is happening at the 'Dabah' slaughterhouse in the south of the country?
Disturbing videos by the Anonymous organization were revealed on Channel 2, in which it appears that in a slaughterhouse, which has been certified as "rabbinical," the animals are being cruelly rushed on their way to slaughter.
In the harsh images, we see a metal gate being lowered over the backs of the animals. The gate is brutally raised over and over again, even when the animals have nowhere to go. In other images, workers are seen beating sheep to get them into the pen, or dragging them on one leg.
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During the investigation, images of the use of electric shockers on the cows' heads were also revealed, and here too, when the animals had nowhere to move.
The footage of the animal abuse also reached Australia – the country from which the cows come. The Australian government contacted the Israeli government and demanded that the Israeli Ministry of Agriculture conduct a comprehensive investigation.
In a conversation with Haredim 10, the person who revealed the harsh images - the Anonymous Animal Rights Association - said that the association, in collaboration with "Let Animals Live," approached Dr. Nadav Galon, chairman of the Veterinary Services at the Ministry of Agriculture, demanding that the slaughterhouse be closed, the veterinarians employed there be suspended, and their certification revoked.
The association also demands that surveillance cameras be placed in all slaughterhouses, which will broadcast to a dedicated website accessible to inspectors and representatives of animal welfare organizations.
Following inquiries received by the Chief Rabbinate of Israel after the publication of the investigation into animal abuse at a slaughterhouse in southern Israel, the Chief Rabbi of Israel, Rabbi David Lau, ordered the professional bodies of the Chief Rabbinate of Israel to examine the recording and the conduct of the various bodies at the slaughterhouse.
Rabbi Lau wanted to emphasize: "Jewish slaughter is humane slaughter, which takes care to prevent animal suffering as much as possible, in accordance with the divine commandment that requires preventing 'animal suffering.'".
""There is no justification for the abuse inflicted on animals at the slaughterhouse, and such conduct must be prevented in the future.".
The Ministry of Agriculture stated: "Following a request from the veterinary services in Australia regarding violations of animal cruelty procedures at the 'Dabbah' slaughterhouse in Deir al-Assad, the veterinary services at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in Israel began examining the request immediately.
As part of the inspection, two on-site inspections were held, which included questioning employees, examining documents, and viewing material filmed by cameras installed on site.
The inspection revealed that the factory does not fully comply with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development's guidelines for minimizing animal suffering from entry into the slaughterhouse until after slaughter, both by the slaughterhouse itself, by the veterinarian supervising the slaughterhouse on behalf of the local authority, and by the chief veterinarian on behalf of the veterinary services.
It was decided to order the slaughterhouse to immediately cease slaughtering operations until the infrastructure problems that are causing the animals to continue to suffer during unloading and while waiting for slaughter are resolved. In addition, it was decided to order the slaughterhouse to immediately reduce the volume of slaughter in accordance with the permit.
It was further determined that the person in charge of the slaughterhouse and the supervising veterinarian at the plant will be summoned for an investigation, at the end of which it will be decided what steps will be taken, including the possibility of revoking the slaughterhouse's operating permit and the possibility of revoking the certification of the supervising veterinarian.".
The Dabah Slaughterhouse Company responded: "The company is part of the Dabah Group of Companies, which has been engaged, among other things, in raising and fattening animals for over 60 years. Throughout its years of operation, the company has acted and continues to act to ensure optimal conditions for the animals residing in its facilities, while adhering to all procedures and guidelines on the subject.".
""The company wishes to emphasize that unjustified harm to animals has always been viewed by it as immoral and inconsistent with its worldview, regardless of the restrictions and regulatory guidelines on the subject.".
""Immediately upon receipt of the information, disciplinary measures were taken against the employees involved, including their dismissal. In addition, the company acted in coordination with the veterinary services to correct the deficiencies," the company claimed.
They added: "The company continues to examine itself and its employees and is acting immediately to take all possible measures to prevent the recurrence of the acts described in the article. The company will continue to serve all residents of the State of Israel in the best possible way and provide the animals in its facilities with optimal conditions while complying with all relevant requirements and standards.".
