Animals\' Angels - wir sind bei den Tieren | we are there with the animals

Animals’ Angels uncovers subsidy fraud
On 4 December 2007 the Danish television channel DR 1 broadcast a show on subsidy fraud regarding the transport of Danish “breeder” cattle to Russia. The fraud was uncovered with video materials recorded by an Animals’ Angels Team on a mission in Russia. The exporter must now repay the 30,000 euros in subsidy and will not export any more cattle to Russia as long as the conditions on this route remain so difficult.
To receive subsidies for these transports the transport and supply times pursuant to the EU animal transport regulation must be observed. While the eight transporters had unloaded the cattle in Poland to feed and water them, they transported them over 90 hours thereafter. According to the EU Regulation the permissible transport time for cattle is 29 hours.

Subsidized transports of “breeder” cattle to Russia
Animals’ Angels Teams followed transports of “breeder” cattle to Belarus and Russia in November 2006 and February 2007. It was discovered that the transports did not comply with the requirements of applicable laws to protect animals during transport, as the cattle were not watered regularly and also not unloaded for the mandatory 24-hour rest period after being transported for 29 hours. The Dutch television station Een van Daag and Bavarian television reported on this. Since the disbursement of the subsidies is tied to compliance with the animal protection provisions, the competent authorities are now also investigating for fraud.

Discussion with EU Commissioner Kyprianou
25 September 2007:  The animal transport route Spain – Italy is one of the most important and at the same time most problematic routes within Europe. Animals’ Angels was invited to a meeting with EU Commissioner Kyprianou as an expert in order to present the problems along this transport route.

"Dairy"cows in Galicia II, 6 September 2007
Santiago de Compostela: Animals’ Angels’ Team met with the heads of the competent authorities for animal transports and slaughterhouses in Galicia. In March of this year and in October of the previous year Animals’ Angles had filed complaints against several slaughterhouses and transporters in Galicia because of the transport of downer cattle. Meanwhile the regional administration has given strict instructions in circular letters to the veterinary authorities, veterinarians associations, market managements, transporter and dealer associations that downer cattle may not be transported but instead must undergo emergency slaughter or euthanasia at the yard. In addition, the animal protection inspections in slaughterhouses and husbandry businesses are increased. That is major progress for the “dairy” cows in Galicia.

Improvements at the market in Pola de Siero
3 September 2007: In September 2005 the conditions at the market in Pola de Siero were still catastrophic. Two years later much has improved. For example, new watering systems have been installed and posters have been hung up on the market premises stating that young calves under a certain age may not be transported. Most of all, however, the general condition of the animals has clearly improved. Animals’ Angels no longer saw any gravely injured or sick animals. One young cow that fell during unloading and could no longer get up is put to sleep right then and there. The handling of the animals is also making great progress. The market director thanked Animals’ Angels in writing for having urged him to work on improving the market and promises to continue in that direction.

"Dairy"cows in Galicia, March 2007
In October 2006 and in March 2007 Animals’ Angels uncovered horrible deficits in slaughterhouses in northwest Spain and filed complaints against several slaughterhouse operators. Animals’ Angels issued a press release together with the Spanish animal right organization ANDA. The video materials that show the animals’ suffering and illegal actions in the slaughterhouses passed through all of Spain and was met with great interest by the public. That is great progress for the animals since in Spain there is – still – rarely interest shown in the fate of “work” animals.  

Animal protection seminar for veterinarians, drivers and slaughterhouse personnel in Greece
At the initiative of Animals’ Angles an animal protection seminar for veterinarians, drivers and slaughterhouse personnel took place in Greece in the autumn of 2007. The training was conducted by BSI, the consulting and training institute for the gentle handling of breeder and slaughter animals in Schwarzenbek. The participants were supposed to be taught the scientific bases for the need of “use” animals as well as information on proper handling of animals during transport and slaughter.

Police training regarding the implementation of EU Reg. 1/2005 being planned
In the context of a meeting at the Polish-Belorussian border, including representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture, it was agreed that Animals’ Angels would support the training of the police in Poland pertaining to the application of the new EU animal transport regulation.

Police support at the animal market in Bodzentyn
After Animals’ Angels complaints with the highest competent authorities on the conditions at the animal market in Bodzentyn, inspections by the police and regional veterinarians were now carried out at the market and various sanctions were threatened. Dealers and farmers are to be fined if they do not comply with the provisions and abuse animals. Our local team will check whether the authorities keep their promise and thus achieve improvements for the animals. It is particularly important to make sure that animals at the market are euthanized by a veterinarian.

July 2007, Collection campaign horse bits for Poland
Our collection campaign „Horse Bits for Bodzentyn“ had an enormous response. After our request in various horse and animal magazines in the past months, over 1,000 horse bits have arrived at our business office. Animals’ Angels employees already brought about 500 of them to our mission leader Anna in Bodzentyn, Poland, in June. At the horse market there, Anna exchanges the motorcycle chains that are still used in horses’ mouths in rural regions of Poland. The bits that have been received since then will be brought to Bodzentyn this month together with other donated equipment, such as blankets and halters.

Albania, Zoo Tirana: Bears have finally moved to renovated enclosure
After more than a year with numerous meetings and a flood of letters, two bears were finally moved into the bear enclosure repaired by Animals’ Angels after years of solitary confinement in their small cages lined with sterile tile. Although this enclosure does not even come close to meeting the spatial needs of a bear, there is at least a place of retreat in the form of a cave for the bears and a pool to bathe. We will continue to push forward to equip the enclosure with recreational materials.

25 April 2007 Germany, Lichtenfels
Animals’ Angels participated in the veterinarians’ seminar “Animal Protection in International Traffic of Animals and Goods” in Lichtenfels and gave a presentation on the animal protection problems during the transport of downer “dairy” cows. The seminar was attended by approximately 70 veterinarians. We are very pleased to have been able to speak at this event because this is normally reserved for the veterinarians.

July 2007, Italy
Animals’ Angels has repeatedly found grave violations among transports from Spain to Italy. Problems like not having planned supply stops, overloading, deficient vehicles, and incomplete documentation could be avoided if the Spanish authorities would carry out the respective inspections at the place of loading. We had filed complaints with the Spanish authorities again and again, and also informed the European Commission and the Italian authorities – but nothing changed with regard to the problems we had found.
In July 2007 the Italian Ministry of Health informed us that it had requested in writing that the Spanish authorities carry out more targeted inspections at the place of loading. In addition, the Ministry of Health stated that the regional Italian veterinary authorities were to monitor in particular the transports originating from Spain upon their arrival in Italy.
Animals’ Angels thanks the Italian authorities for this initiative.

July 2007, Italy
The sanctions system for the EU animal transport regulation in effect since 5 January 2007 was adopted in Italy. It will go into effect within the next few weeks. One of the most important revisions is that fines for violations by foreign transport companies must be paid immediately. Otherwise the truck will be prevented from driving on after the animals are unloaded and brought to a suitable location. To date the foreign transporters have generally been able to avoid paying the fines.
Animals’ Angels assumes that this new regulation will have a clear deterrent effect.

20 April 2007, Italy
The Italian police inspected a truck that is transporting horses from Spain to southern Italy. The competent veterinarians were also called. The regulatory agencies decided that the horses must be unloaded to take a rest break. The veterinarians quickly located a suitable stable nearby. The horses were obviously happy about being able to run on the large pasture.

April 2007, Italy
Animals’ Angels requested the competent veterinary authority to inspect an unlawful horse transport. The result of the inspection was that the dealer stables are closed.

30 March 2007, Italy
The Italian police inspected a truck transporting lambs from Spain to Italy. Too many animals were loaded, the vehicle’s watering system was defective on two of three load levels. The police and inspecting veterinarian ordered the transporter to unload the animals. Fines in excess of 15,000 euros were imposed.

20 February 2007, Italy
Animals’ Angels was invited as guest speaker on animal transports at the University of Bologna. The attending students were from different courses of study, including veterinary medicine. We were very pleased at the students’ interest.

Animals’ Angels mission leads to extensive inspection of horse dealers by local authorities, 7/2007
During a mission along the American-Candadian border, Animals’ Angels inspectors followed one of the largest horse dealers of Michigan from the market in Indiana to the slaughterhouse in Richelieu, Quebec. The inspectors documented numerous violations of applicable federal and state law and forwarded the information to the local authorities afterwards. After viewing the extensive video material, the traffic police have decided to conduct an in-depth inspection of the vehicles, the drivers and the log books of this company – a measure that is likely to result in considerable fines for the transporter.

Animals’ Angels urges Greencastle Market to improve treatment of the animals
June 2007: The results of the recent mission are showing an effect: Horrified about the conditions we found, the competent humane officer has agreed to subject the Greencastle Market to stricter controls. In cooperation with Animals’ Angels USA measures for the gentle treatment of animals at market were developed and implemented.

Animals’ Angels documentation supports the American Horse Slaughter Prevention Act
May 2007: A vote is currently being taken in the American Congress regarding the prohibition of slaughtering horses for human consumption. Congressional representatives Ed Whitfield and Jan Schakowsky selected Animals’ Angels among numerous animal rights organizations to produce the official video on this topic. The documentation was sent to all members of Congress and publicized on “You Tube” by Congress. The video clearly shows how much suffering is associated with the “slaughter” horse trade in the USA.

Good news from the Animals’ Angels Sanctuary
Waynesboro, 9 May 2007: During a visit to the weekly market in Greencastle, the inspectors noticed a totally emaciated and gravely ill mare and her foal. While the inspectors negotiated with the market manager in the office about obtaining the horses, the foal was separated from the mother and sold. Nobody wanted to tell us to whom. The mare was transported to the Animals’ Angels sanctuary. Dolly was in deplorable condition and it was unclear for several days whether she would pull through. She was 300 pounds underweight, had fleas, diarrhea and an extremely bad case of worms. In the meantime Animals’ Angels determined the location of the foal and was able to convince the new owner to leave the foal to the sanctuary. Two days later Dolly regained her daughter and her will to live. Now the two are slowly recuperating from this traumatic experience under constant supervision by the veterinarian.

Animals’ Angels delivered video material for CBS report on “slaughter” house market
On 26 April 2007 CBS Cleveland broadcast a detailed report on the “slaughter” horse auction in Sugarcreek, Ohio. The report was largely based on video materials and mission reports from Animals’ Angels USA. Our inspectors had inspected the market several times since January 2007 and found unacceptable conditions and cruelties. The report caused a public outcry. Due to this increased public interest, politicians and the local authorities are now addressing the matter.

Manitoba Pork Marketing Cooperative is closing
One of the pig collecting stations Animals’ Angels conducted a year long investigation on – Manitoba Pork Marketing Cooperative in Winnipeg, Manitoba – is closing.  The facility located on Marion Street will be closing its offices and collecting station.  While there are plans to rebuild an office facility to continue to process the export paperwork, no collecting station is planned so pigs will either be marketed directly from farm to slaughter or go through other collecting stations.  This means that for many pigs in Manitoba they will be saved the additional trauma of loading, transport and unloading at this collecting facility – a facility where numerous serious violations of the provincial Animal Care Act and federal Health of Animals Act were documented such as the abandonment of severely injured and dying animals overnight with no medical treatment, food, water or straw to lie on.
While the closure likely has more to do with changing market trends, it is possible that Animals’ Angels’ intensive, detailed investigation and final report presented to both the federal and provincial governments and released to well-read agricultural newspapers played a role in its closure.
Either way, it means that up to 5,000 pigs in Manitoba each day will be spared the trauma of a visit to Manitoba Pork Marketing Cooperative.

CEC willing to examine animal welfare concerns
The Head of Investigation Canada gave a presentation to the province of Manitoba’s Clean Environment Commission panel regarding the sustainability of Manitoba’s hog industry.  Major areas of welfare concerns were outlined – such as the province’s complete lack of inspections, the weakness of the Animal Care Act and the lack of enforcement of it.  The conflict of interest between government and industry, the long distances Manitoba’s cull pigs are transported and the acceptance of blatantly cruel and abusive practices such as boar bashing were exposed.  Recommendations included an immediate update of the Animal Care Act, the development and enforcement of hog barn fire codes, the development of a routine, unannounced system of inspections, and the implementation of an efficient sanctioning system for those who commit acts of animal cruelty.
As a result of the presentation the panel agreed that while animal welfare was not initially an area they were willing to examine they were not able to ignore Animals’ Angels findings and would now be considering the welfare of the pigs in their deliberations.

Manitoba Veterinary Medical Association writes letter of support
The Head of Investigations Canada received a letter of support from the Manitoba Veterinary Medical Association regarding the final reports produced from our year-long investigation into Manitoba’s pig collecting stations.  The MVMA stated that they share our concern about the welfare of animals in Manitoba and agree that the assurance of animal welfare in Manitoba is the responsibility of the Minister of Agriculture under the Animal Care Act.  Like Animals’ Angels, they will continue to encourage the Minister’s office to allocate sufficient funds to develop a system of inspections within the province (Manitoba and the Northwest Territories are the only two provinces/territories within Canada without a system of inspections for farm animals).

Animals' Angels rescues chicken from slaughter plant
Animals' Angels gave a second chance at life to two traumatized chickens from a chicken slaughter plant in Quebec.  The birds were clinging to a trailer at the slaughter plant that had been improperly loaded.  The driver had failed to put in the dividers between the columns of crates leaving a large opening between the columns.  The driver must have applied his braked too quickly, forcing a row of crates to fall over.  The top crate opened as it fell, spilling 8-10  birds onto the motorway.  Three of these birds managed to remain on the trailer.  We were able to remove the top two birds, but the third had died from her injuries or suffocation.  The removed birds – one with a broken wing, both traumatized – were brought to a farm sanctuary where they are recovering.  They are doing well and will be allowed to live out their natural lives at the sanctuary.

Animals’ Angels approved to inspect cattle at Port Becancour, Quebec that are being loaded onto a ship for export to Russia
The Animals’ Angels inspectors received approval from the port authority at Port Becancour, Quebec to, along with inspectors with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, inspect cattle as they were being loaded onto a ship for export to Port Novorosky, Russia.  Three thousand cattle were shipped – 2,000 from Alberta (transport time over 40 hours) and 1,000 from Ontario (transport time approximately 8 hours).  The cattle were primarily Black Angus and Holstein and are to act as a breeding herd for milking and meat cows in Russia.  On the whole, loading was done humanely and no injuries were seen.  We conducted an interview with Radio Canada on our concerns with the export of these animals to a country that lacks animal welfare legislation and protection for farm animals.

Animals' Angels urges Winnipeg Livestock Auction to end suffering of Emily
Animals' Angels advocated for a cull dairy cow named Emily who was left for days in excruciating pain with a twisted stomach, torn ligatures that held her udder in place, mastitis and lameness.  We were able to have a provincial veterinarian come and euthanize her on the spot.  Had she not been euthanized she would have had to wait in her condition another 3 days until she would finally be transported to a slaughterhouse in another province over 10 hours away. Letters of reprimand were sent to Emily’s owner and the Winnipeg Livestock Auction from the provincial veterinarian’s office.