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Chickens being boiled alive was just one of more than 4,000 serious breaches of animal welfare regulations at British abattoirs in the last two years.

The data - a log of reports submitted to the Food Standards Agency - reveals thousands of animals being subjected to avoidable suffering each year.

Scores of individual acts of cruelty and neglect by slaughterhouse staff, hauliers and farmers are documented, as well as malpractice that increases the risk of food poisoning .

A single breach can involve cruelty to hundreds of animals.

(Image: Getty)

Figures released under Freedom of Information laws found an average of six incidents a DAY were in the most serious category.

MP Neil Parish said: “There is no place for animal cruelty at any stage of farm production, including the slaughterhouse.

“This country prides itself as having some of the highest animal welfare standards in the world. It’s vital the authorities crack down on any abuses and ensure there is zero tolerance to any mistreatment of animals when slaughtered.”

The welfare breaches include a cow being “violently slammed” against a wall following an argument between two workers; an abattoir worker beating three bulls with a wooden stick and electric prod; and a haulier hitting and kicking cattle during unloading.

Many involve sheep being grabbed by the wool and ears or dragged by the horns, or pigs being lifted by their ears and tails.

A spokesman for the Food Standards Agency said it had “zero tolerance” approach to animal welfare breaches.