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

Again the following day, kill buyers Rotz and Moore were at the auction. The quality of horses here was much worse than at Centre Hall auction. Several horses were emaciated or limping. One horse, tag # 126, had an open wound to the forehead. Investigators observed horses banging their heads against low crossbeams in the pens. Some pens were dangerously overcrowded. Horses seemed generally agitated and were observed biting other horses and vigorously chewing on fencing. A large draft horse in a pen with other smaller horses was observed repeatedly kicking the smaller horses in their sides and back legs. These horses were tied to the fence rails, unable to move sufficiently to avoid being kicked. Still other horses were tied in narrow stalls with no water. Rotz and Moore stood in the auction ring and were observed buying many horses. Some severely limping draft horses were offered for as low as $10. Neither kill buyer bid on them.

Research on the subject matter “dairy cows” leads an ANIMALS’ ANGELS team to a large “dairy cow” husbandry in Brandenburg. The animals are standing on metal bars, the stable is dirty. ANIMALS’ ANGELS will continue to investigate.

Known kill buyers Bruce Rotz and Brian Moore maintained a presence in auction ring, with Rotz apparently impatient, prodding the auctioneer, "Come on, let’s get them sold..." Several horses, emaciated with ribs clearly visible, were present. Several more horses with old scars, some with scarring from halters and buggy harness such as that used by the Amish, were observed. Investigators also observed many working draft horses with hooves in very bad condition. One auction pen was called the “suspect pen” with 3 horses in unknown condition inside. Horses had access to hay but no water. A total of approximately 150 horses were at sale; the majority of buyers and sellers were Amish. Most horses sold for between $1,200 - $3,500.

Animals’ Angels inspects a transport with pigs from Spain to Italy. The pigs were born in Holland and fattened in Spain and are now being transported to Italy for slaughter. En route to Italy the animals on the 2nd and 3rd levels of the truck do not even have water available. The bedding is completely inadequate so that the animals, which are very clean under natural conditions, soon have to lie in their own urine and feces. The driver, a friendly Italian, enthusiastically says, „Look, first-class goods, not a gram of fat on them.” He does not seem to be aware that he is transporting living creatures, 180 personalities that have needs just like he does. Animals’ Angels is fighting against this excessive exploitation of the animals through long-distance transports. In this case Animals’ Angels will request the competent veterinary authority in Italy to inspect the truck to obtain a prohibition against the long-distance transport of pigs on this vehicle in the future.

ANIMALS’ ANGELS Team discovers a transporter with young calves from Ireland on their way to Barcelona. The Team watches the driver unload and give them water at an inspection station, but he does not comply with the required rest period and drives on much too early. The gendarmes called for help arrive quickly and inspect the truck. During the inspection further violations are discovered: the ceiling height is too low, causing the calves to bump their backs on the ceiling; the truck has no temperature monitoring system and no GPS. The driver has to unload the calves for 24 hours and pay a fine of 675 euro. ANIMALS’ ANGELS thanks the gendarmes for their quick and efficient assistance.

Approximately 60 horses arrived at the pens each day. The pens were sheltered and provided water for the horses. However, dangerous and inhumane open trailers were used to transport horses to Mexico. Overhead pipes were broken off, leaving jagged edges and putting horses at risk of severe head and eye injuries. Horses were packed onto the open trailers without shelter from the sun or the elements. Investigators were told that the horses were being trucked to the slaughter plant in Zacatecas, Mexico. Known kill buyers Saulters and McDaniels brought in horses during the 3 days investigators were present. Soon after his arrival, Saulters confronted investigators demanding they leave though they were on a public right of way. Later, investigators observed that Saulters was forced to take back 3 of the horses he had brought in, with the horses being loaded back onto his truck. Still later Saulters stopped in the middle of a public thoroughfare, approached investigators and spoke to them in a threatening and irrational manner. Investigators filmed the encounter, then filed a complaint with the police department.

ANIMALS’ ANGELS Team visits a sheep and cattle market in Normandy. Only few animals are at market. The Team discovers mother sheep that are wedged into a pen with their young and have barely any room to move. In addition, one of the lambs is barely older than 2 days – it is tiny, can barely walk and the umbilical cord is still visible. This lamb should never have been taken to market. ANIMALS’ ANGELS will continue to pursue the problems at markets in France.

Approximately 60 horses were present in the pens on each of the 2 days. Workers loaded horses for shipment to Mexico onto a parked trailer 50 minutes before the rig arrived, needlessly making the already long and arduous journey for the horses on the trailer even longer. Hay was given only if horses stayed overnight. Water was accessible all day, no open deck trailers were observed during the two days investigators were present. Handling was calm. The pen manager informed investigators that no injured or lame horses are accepted. However, instead of providing veterinary care for these horses or euthanasia if needed, these horses are sent back with the shippers.

ANIMALS' ANGELS investigators traveled to Louisiana because of complaints received about the condition of horses in the possession of the Stanley Brothers. Arriving at the Stanley Brothers Horse Collection Station in Bastrop, investigators soon observed a lame and severely emaciated horse. The horse held her left front leg out in front of her, apparently unable to bear weight on it. The investigators noted a green slaughter tag affixed to the horse’s withers. That Sunday evening, one of Stanley Brothers trucks backed up to the loading ramp. Unable to tell if the horse was among those loaded, investigators followed the trailer to the federal export pens in Eagle Pass, TX. After observing the truck unload at the pens without seeing the horse, investigators spoke with the export pen operator, showing him photos of the horse. The pen operator assured investigators that the horse was not there. The horse still had to be at the collecting station in Bastrop and Animals’ Angels filed a complaint with the Bastrop police department. The police officer dispatched confirmed the investigators observations and wrote in the police report that the horse was in need of veterinary attention. The case is still ongoing, but Animals‘Angels will make sure that the Stanley Brothers will be held responsible.

ANIMALS’ ANGELS attends a conference where new studies on the topic „transport stress due to climatic conditions“ are being introduced. A discussion round also takes place within the conference, which representatives from the EU Commission, the Italian Ministry of Health and the association of transporters and dealers also attend, among others. The current animal transport law is discussed, as are problems with its implementation and possible improvements for the future. As a participant in this podium discussion, ANIMALS’ ANGELS has the opportunity to advocate for the animals.