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

ANIMALS’ ANGELS inspects Mundijong market in West Australia. Two small calves had been transported over an hour to the sale, but they didn’t sell and as the owner didn’t want to take the small male calves back, he gave them away. One was so weak it was unable to climb the ramp and onto the ute, so the man who took them both was helped by a member of the public to carry the calf. After app. 10 minutes the calf was observed to be standing. Again there no water for the birds and a few poultry had traces of blood around the head and beak area. There is no supervision of the bird area or at the bigger animal loading area. The State Animal Welfare Inspectorate was not present because the State Government has stopped the funding which enabled the Inspectorate to employ Animal Welfare Inspectors. WA has just 1 State Animal Welfare Inspector for all of the state.

ANIMALS’ ANGELS Team is pleased that some of our earlier suggestions have been implemented. Most important is the euthanasia protocol has been implemented. Conditions of the bird sale and loading area have improved significantly. Still needed are improvements in handling. Dragging by ears and tails, moving downer cows is unacceptable. Management agreed to have AA provide a written list of improvements, and to subsequently hold a meeting with all employees and inform them of required handling improvements. Among these will be: A “slow pen” for high risk cows will be made available, which will be spacious, with shelter and access to water. If an animal becomes a downer, it will be euthanized on the spot in a timely manner. Dragging by ears and tails is prohibited. An auction yard animal welfare manager will stay in close contact with ANIMALS’ ANGELS and compliance will be monitored closely. We felt that management at Escalon was genuinely interested in trying to improve conditions and the welfare of animals that are associated with their auction. If they continue along these lines it will make a difference for thousands of animals each year.

ANIMALS’ ANGELS observe staff express positive attitude towards compliance with current legal animal welfare obligations. Most animals in good condition, but still need to verify that unfit, ‘suspect’ or ‘vendors risk’ cattle are being dealt with according to welfare code of practice provisions and NSQA requirements. Drafting and loading of cattle at this yard is difficult to observe since some of it occurs in areas with no public access.

ANIMALS’ ANGELS observes 12.000 sheep as they arrive on 17 transports to the ship: Al Shuwaikh for live export to the Middle East for slaughter (without pre-stunning). Biggest problems today are lack of height for the animals to stand naturally-many of the sheep are squashed and eye infections are documented. Many drivers fail to check on the welfare of the animals after they park their truck and the Government doesnt care enough to make sure they do. AQIS who are responsible for ensuring compliance to health requirements of the Australian export regulations are not in attendance. The State Animal Welfare Unit inspectors who are responsible for the animal welfare legislation within WA are not here and have not attended the port to check on the welfare of sheep or cattle for live export for over 12 months. Only ANIMALS' ANGELS are present to watch over the animals.

ANIMALS’ ANGELS visits Mount Hope Auction. The main barn has goats, sheep, calves and dairy cows. The pens are clean, but none of the pens have water or water buckets in them. It is 88 degrees. Pens with goats and sheep are very packed. All the animals are panting. Sheep that have not been sheared are clearly very hot. In a second barn are cages of hens, roosters, ducks and rabbits, some rabbits with babies. The cages are stacked on top of each other with no flooring so that feces and urine rain down on the animals below. None of these cages have water. No fans are anywhere present. All of these animals are also panting. Small boxes contain dozens of baby chicks or ducks but no water. Two young boys are handling the goats and sheep from the holding pen to the auction ring. One boy dressed in traditional Amish clothing was observed pulling the goats and sheep by their ears to the auction ring, holding the mouths of the baby lambs shut to prevent them from screaming. ANIMALS’ ANGELS will discuss these findings with auction management and press for improvements.

ANIMALS’ ANGELS inspects Mt Compass saleyard. This yard has an undercover facility with soft floor, fans and some curved races into loading ramp. There is water in some holding pens. Most animals in good condition, but a few bleeding horns, heavy milk cows and one small cancer eye. No electric shock prodders used for drafting in yards, prodders only used for loading. Some unmuzzled dogs at end of day. Generally calm atmosphere. Some staff have completed low stress livestock handling course.

ANIMALS’ ANGELS and ANDA once again inspect the market in Corao in northwestern Spain. More than 4,000 animals, primarily regional cattle races, as well as horses, donkeys, sheep and goat are for sale. After complaints by ANIMALS’ ANGELS and ANDA the previous year, the municipal administration introduced improvements: mobile loading ramps, central drinking troughs, new tether systems, pens for the animals that are not used to be tethered, and posted signs with animal welfare information. In addition, city employees help with the loading and the responsible city council member is constantly present in order to monitor the market happenings together with the local police. The improvements show the good will of the City of Cangas de Onís to improve the animal welfare situation at market. However, an interest in animal welfare is clearly lacking among the majority of market patrons and the cooperation by the official veterinarians. Dealers and farmers do not give their animals water; many do not use the existing pens but continue to tether the young calves. The movable tether rings that are supposed to make it easier for the animals to stand up and lie down are often not utilized, and instead the animals are simply tied up so they cannot lie down. Often the mobile ramps are not used and the animals are more likely to be driven onto the transporters with the customary force. The ANIMALS’ ANGELS and ANDA Team document numerous violations of transport provisions but does not see the official veterinarians intervene in any case. ANIMALS’ ANGELS and ANDA will submit complaints to the highest competent veterinary authority due to the lack of official veterinary inspections.

ANIMALS’ ANGELS visits Petaluma Auction. Cattle have water and shelter. Pens have concrete and dirt floors and are not overcrowded. Several cows are emaciated or limping or have full udders. Some are lying down in distress panting. Overall the handling is very good and patient. All cows are able to get up. Worker carries weak calves through the auction ring. In addition to cows 2 horses, one limping, 1 donkey, and a few goats are offered for sale that day.

Improvements: ANIMALS’ ANGELS Investigators did not observe electric prods being used on calves on this visit. Loading area and ramp now have non-slip rubber mats, preventing cows from falling as they are loaded and unloaded. Area for the bird sale is now both sheltered and has better air flow. Most cages have small cups with fresh water for the birds. A euthanasia program has been implemented, with one trained employee present at the auction at all times for emergencies. Still existing areas of concern: No water is provided. Cows are crammed into very crowded pens. Pens have bare concrete floors with no bedding. Weak calves and goats are carried by their tails and ears. A very emaciated Holstein collapses in the alley behind the auction ring. Electric prods are used to make her rise and walk. Another cow goes down in auction ring. A skid loader (Bobcat) is used to move cow out of ring. Several cows in extremely poor condition, some on three legs, hobbling through the alleys.

ANIMALS’ ANGELS finds many more horses than on last visit with 250 to 300 horses on the premises. Pens have no shelter here where summer temperatures regularly exceed 100 degrees. Several stock trailers parked in front. Feedlot employee observed walking through pens, selecting several horses out of each pen.