Investigators documented severe animal welfare violations across a majority of surveyed facilities, which housed between 10 and 500 animals (averaging 50 per unit). Animals were routinely subjected to prolonged tethering—including restrictive double and triple tethering as well as painful nose and mouth restraints. The report recorded widespread physical distress, including untreated open wounds, swollen joints, skin infections, and malnutrition. Furthermore, investigators observed calf neglect, instances of illegal Khal baccha practices to stimulate milk let-down, and indications of oxytocin use in nearly 90% of visited units.

The investigation also highlighted significant public health and environmental risks stemming from inadequate waste management. In urban areas, 70% to 80% of dairy units operated in close proximity to residential housing, with 5% to 10% located near municipal water bodies. Milking was frequently conducted adjacent to open sewage drains and accumulated manure, while unpasteurized milk was stored in uncovered containers. Untreated slurry and animal carcasses were routinely discharged into public waterways and drainage systems, posing severe contamination risks for nearby communities.

Interviews with dairy operators revealed deep-seated structural challenges and gaps in institutional support. Farmers across multiple states cited inadequate access to essential veterinary services, affordable vaccination programs, livestock insurance, and technical training. The recurrence of identical non-compliant practices across geographically diverse regions indicates a lack of routine government inspections, inconsistent enforcement of existing animal welfare regulations, and low operational accountability throughout the informal supply chain.