We interviewed Danny Sheppard, who worked as an undercover slaughterhouse worker to help gain the first-ever footage inside a gas chamber in the UK at Pilgrim's abattoir in Ashton, Manchester. The resulting footage has been featured in Joey Carbstrong's Pignorant film, which has made a huge splash in both the animal rights movement and the pig industry in the UK.

Our latest undercover investigation at C&K Meats in Suffolk portrays the horrors as Pignorant. From animals being beaten with paddles to those arriving terrified off the back of transporters, the experiences of pigs inside slaughterhouses is nothing but terror and panic. The workers inside slaughterhouses are also being exploited. They have higher rates of mental health problems like anxiety, depression, aggression, PTSD and psychoticism. We speak to Danny Shepherd to gain his perspective of what the day-to-day is like inside of an industrial-sized pig abattoir.

How did you begin working in a slaughterhouse? What was your role?

I started work at the slaughterhouse after attending vigils and found out that an agency was employing staff to work there. After consulting with Joey Carbstrong, I was equipped with cameras and the intention was to obtain footage from inside, and ultimately to get cams inside the gas chamber. I managed to get a hygiene role ( cleaner) which ran from 4pm until past midnight. I opted for this as I knew it would be quieter, as in, not many staff onsite.  

How has this impacted your mental health? Do you think these impacts are similar in other workers?

I found it depressing inside with staff a little more subdued during breaks. I myself didn't experience any problems until after when I realised the gravity of what I was involved with, and still now, occasionally, taste a particular taste of fat, which is because after using steaming hot water to wash down. The fat from the pigs bodies mingled with the water vapour and I could taste it. I think many of the workers there did not enjoy the work but as to their mental health, I could not say as I didn't know any outside of the workplace.  

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

A selection of pigs were kept overnight for the morning's murder spree. I often went to see them. They were frightened by my presence and were subjected to a loud radio playing throughout the night and loud hissing and clanking from the machines, as well as us cleaning everything around them. They were constantly in fear. 

Why have you decided to speak out about the industry?

I deliberately worked undercover to expose this place [Pilgrim’s Ashton] and get the first ever footage of inside a gas chamber. The narrative is that these animals fall gently asleep but the footage shows otherwise.

As we look into the frightful experiences of both animals and the workers inside slaughterhouses, we see time and time again that these facilities should not exist in a progressive society. We will not see social progression without an end to this violent industry. We can be the generation to see all slaughterhouses close their doors. Society progresses Everyone wins.

As always,

For the animals.