Canadian horses exported to Japan for slaughter falling sick, dying: animal advocates
Global News
Horses flown from Canada to Japan for slaughter continue to get sick, get injured and even die, according to a new investigation by animal rights advocates.
Horses flown from Canada to Japan for slaughter continue to get sick, get injured and even die, according to a new investigation by animal rights advocates.
The report, compiled by Animal Justice in partnership with the Japan-based Life Investigation Agency (LIA), used data from documents provided by the LIA and Canadian Horse Defence Coalition.
It examines data from 2024-25 that it says comes from the government of Japan, obtained through access to information requests.
Global News has not independently verified the data, but has contacted Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.
The report includes records from 18 shipments of horses from Edmonton and Winnipeg to Japan, with approximately 1,822 horses on board in total.
From September 2024 to September 2025, the data showed at least nine horses died as a result of transportation to Japan for slaughter.
“I wish I could say I was surprised, but I wasn’t; we’ve seen this before,” said Kaitlyn Mitchell, director of legal advocacy for Animal Justice. “Nobody is looking out for these horses.”
Horses are exported by cargo jet from Canada to Japan annually, where they’re slaughtered for human consumption, according to the Winnipeg Humane Society.
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