Police Uncover Illegal Slaughterhouse in Zwijndrecht Shed

Police in the Belgian municipality of Zwijndrecht have uncovered an illegal slaughterhouse operating out of a shed on a meadow, with animal heads and severed limbs found scattered across the floor. The discovery, made during a routine control by Police Zone Scheldewaas on Tuesday, comes as Muslims across the country observe the Festival of Sacrifice (Eid al-Adha), according to Het Laatste Nieuws.

Scene of Cruelty

Animal rescue center Ludwig & Co from Haasdonk was called to the scene in the Lindenstraat, where responders found a gruesome and distressing sight. Animal heads and severed limbs were scattered across the floor of the shed, with multiple sheep carcasses present alongside animals still alive but in poor condition.

“The sheep heads were lying on the ground and many animals had their legs chopped off,” said Tasha Descheiver, founder of the rescue center. “Many sheep were in very bad condition. These were particularly crude and animal-unfriendly practices. In the end, we were able to take 45 live sheep with us.”

Despite the horrors, rescue workers moved quickly to save the surviving animals from the Zwijndrecht location. In total, approximately 50 sheep were rescued across multiple locations during the operation.

Broader Crackdown

The Zwijndrecht discovery was not an isolated incident. In nearby Sint-Niklaas, police seized four additional sheep from two private addresses on Wednesday. Three sheep were confiscated on the Hendrik Consciencestraat and one on the Mispelstraat, where the animals were being kept without permission ahead of the Offerfeest, as HLN reported.

“There were interventions on Wednesday at two different locations,” the local police of Sint-Niklaas confirmed. “In the Mispelstraat it was one sheep, on the Hendrik Consciencestraat it was three sheep. The animals were collected each time by the city services.” The sheep were being held without authorization and were intended for slaughter during the religious festival.

Descheiver warned that these cases may only be the beginning. “We expect that more arrests will follow because the Offerfeest is not over yet,” she said. “It is urgently time to put a stop to illegal slaughter.”

Legal Framework

Under Flemish law, slaughter is only permitted in recognized slaughterhouses or on recognized temporary slaughter floors. Since January 1, 2025, home slaughter of sheep, goats, and pigs has been legally prohibited in Flanders. The Federal Agency for the Safety of the Food Chain (FAVV) oversees compliance with food safety and animal welfare regulations, according to the official Flemish government website.

Ritual slaughter without prior stunning is permitted only under strict conditions in recognized facilities. The regulations are designed to ensure both animal welfare and food safety, as meat from illegal slaughterhouses bypasses all veterinary inspections, posing risks of disease transmission and contamination.

During the Offerfeest period, authorities conduct heightened surveillance and targeted controls. Legal alternatives exist for those wishing to observe religious traditions: recognized slaughterhouses and temporary slaughter floors where ritual slaughter can be performed under proper supervision and with veterinary oversight.

A Recurring Problem

This case is part of a broader pattern of illegal slaughter during the Eid al-Adha period in Belgium. Just days earlier, nine men avoided prison sentences for illegally slaughtering sheep in an empty villa in Tisselt (Willebroek) in 2023, with only one defendant receiving a €1,600 fine, HLN reported. In that case, eight of the nine men were acquitted due to insufficient evidence linking them directly to the slaughter.

Similar incidents have occurred in previous years. In 2025, police stopped an illegal slaughter during the Offerfeest in Ninove, East Flanders. The recurring nature of these cases suggests systemic enforcement challenges, with authorities conducting annual targeted controls that consistently uncover violations.

Descheiver warned that more incidents are likely before the festival concludes. “We expect that more arrests will follow because the Offerfeest is not over yet,” she said. “It is urgently time to put a stop to illegal slaughter.”

Investigation Ongoing

It is not yet clear how many people were found at the various addresses or who is suspected of illegal slaughter. The rescued sheep have been placed in a meadow found with the help of partner organizations vzw Forrest & Friends and De Ark van Pollare. “Thanks to their help, we found a beautiful meadow for the sheep,” Descheiver said. “The animals are now overjoyed.”

Descheiver also noted that her center has received reports of sheep being stolen in recent days, adding another layer of concern to the ongoing investigation. She expressed gratitude to the police zones for their rapid interventions and to the FAVV for its thorough work.

What’s Next

As the Eid al-Adha celebrations continue through Friday, authorities remain on alert for further illegal slaughter operations. Perpetrators face potential fines of up to €103,000 and prison sentences of up to six years under Belgian law. The case highlights ongoing enforcement challenges surrounding religious slaughter practices and the tension between cultural traditions and animal welfare legislation in Belgium.