In this heartfelt blog, we interview David Magina, a former slaughterhouse worker who was witness to over two decades of violence within the abattoir industry in Canada. It highlights the callous reality that animals face as well as the numerous human rights issues that plague the industry. Our undercover investigation at C&K Meats in Suffolk highlights many of these same atrocities. We witnessed an abundance of non-compliances and potential legal breaches and the animals suffered greatly. This facility is RSPCA Assured and Red Tractor approved, showing that the smokescreen that welfare assurance labels create is immensely damaging to both animals and humans.

How did you begin working in a slaughterhouse? 

My grandparents immigrated here and the jobs they were given were in a slaughter factory. Much like others with the same cultural backgrounds, this is very common. It can be a condition of entry (as most college educated or well off people would never consider working in a place like this). My mom, aunt and uncle followed. My grandfather saw the role of the government inspectors and sought to become one. My uncle followed and I was next in line so to say. I didn’t have a lot of ambition growing up and my grandfather placed the importance to me at a young age that becoming a government employee with pension benefits would be ideal for me growing up. I really can’t explain how naive I was but that’s how it started with me.

‍What was your role?

‍My role was as an agricultural inspector, all duties surrounding our food system, monitoring employees perform duties including so-called “animal welfare”. Transportation of animals and compliance to the regulations were primarily a role I took on because I felt, along with others, that the animals were subjected to such an awful experience. From the long transportation experience to being unloaded, stunned with prods, electrical baths, captive bolt guns and gas chambers. So we worked to make things better but I know now there’s no way, even if it was done in a perfect way to be okay.

‍How has this impacted your mental health?

‍From the very moment I walked into the slaughter facility, I haven’t lost the smell or things that I saw. A night terror I have often is me being inside the crate along with my mom who has similar dreams of being in their position. I have countless reels that go off in my head everyday. Flashbacks everyday, sometimes every hour. I often see piles of dead bodies, many things that are too hard to even share. There are so many triggers: garbage bags, people eating, billboards, trucks, tv ads, you name it. I have been diagnosed with PTSD and bipolar disorder.

‍Do you think these impacts are similar in other workers?

‍There’s no doubt anyone who works in this environment will suffer. I’ve seen it firsthand both physically and mentally. I contracted e coli and campylobacter more than once which is very common for anyone who works in close proximity to animals. It’s no surprise as these animals live in their filth and during transport slide around in faeces and urine. Seeing or taking the life of another has a dramatic impact on the workers. How could it not with such a violent act? I believe it’s both a human and non-human rights violation. Workers covered in blood, guts, urine and faeces, killing all day everyday, those witnessing it, it cannot be explained in words. Many turned to drugs and alcohol, including myself. You are a shell of yourself or who you once were. I’ve seen many workers suffer long-term and many who left, never to be seen again. I spend many nights alone by myself as I find it hard to be around others and triggers. Many workers suffer wrist and shoulder injuries from using a knife as well eye and hearing issues. Many workers I’d see falling asleep on lines because of the speed, atmosphere, long hours and short breaks in these places. I encourage anyone who’s been inside to see this or to seek therapy. Once we lose empathy we move towards psychopathy.

‍How do you think the animals were feeling during their time in the slaughterhouse?

‍There’s no doubt non-human animals are much more attuned with their instincts – they can smell, sense much better than we can. They know what’s ahead of them, it's indescribable. They look to you; you can tell they want help but you end up betraying them in the end. Many try to escape but many are too exhausted to make an attempt to get away. It’s a real life horror show with no way out for them.

‍Why have you decided to speak out about the industry?

‍I just want to say at first I was scared to speak out. I was worried about backlash from where I worked all the way to anyone who didn’t consume animals. I thought I would be yelled at or much worse. But I knew I had this story and what they are going through doesn’t even compare to what I would. If I could just save a few from living this horrible life all the way to such a tragic ending, I really had no choice but to say something.

‍What would you say to people who still consume animal products?

‍I would say I’m not much different than you are. I worked as a public servant for 22 years. I like you have been sold this myth, this idea that somehow we need to be a part of this which we don’t. Now imagine if your child came to you and said mom, dad, I want to be a slaughterhouse worker when I grow up, you would seek therapy for them. Yet, we’re paying for marginalised individuals to work in these places who have no choice. Suffering immense trauma, turning to substance abuse and a rise in violent crime rates. That’s because we pay for it to happen. I’m asking you to put yourself in the victim's position just for a moment or imagine yourself having to work inside a slaughterhouse and do this yourself – would you? Probably not. I’ve not eaten animal products for over 10 years, I don’t look at others as commodities anymore and I see the only way forward is to remove violence from our plates. How could we not live in a more peaceful world if we treated the most vulnerable with kindness, dignity and respect.

‍How do you think we can get them to listen?

‍We have so many means of changing public perception. This is one of them. I would say everyone has something about them, a talent whether it be through sport, art, music, fitness etc... If you don’t have a specific talent, get on social media. You can do a faceless account and there are so many in that space to help you. I for one love street advocacy, speaking with the public directly about something that’s so important to them and having such interesting conversations. Not only has it built my confidence but helps me to understand in person face-to-face the needs of people in general. That’s why I’ve joined groups like We The Free and many others. It helps you to feel not so isolated when we have a community of like-minded people around us. Just always remember the “why” – why are we doing this – and the “how” becomes that much easier.

As we hear more accounts of former slaughterhouse workers come forward, it must serve as a reminder that the existence of slaughterhouses is both an animal rights and a human rights issue. This is an issue that affects all of us. Animals. Humans. Society.

As always,

For the animals.