Animals‘ Angels inspects the weekly horse market in Bodzentyn, Poland. Together with our partner ‘Viva! Poland’ we document grievances on horse and cattle markets throughout Poland. On all sites problems are very much alike, in Bodzentyn as well: animals are tethered in such an extent that they are not able to lie down and have to stand on hard concrete floor for hours. Neither food nor water is provided. Some farmers beat their stressed and anxious horses with sticks. Animals are kept so close together that it comes to hierarchic encounters repeatedly. Emanuel, a small gelding, has been hit at the head by a hoof, he suffers from shallow breathing and foam at the mouth. Animals’ Angels calls a veterinarian. The veterinarian imposes a fine on the owner and orders a veterinary examination for Emanuel to which compliance will be monitored by the authorities. At the market’s periphery poultry is sold. The animals are in a very bad condition, carried off the market in plastic or potato bags by their buyers.
Mainly Animal markets in Poland still exist because of traditional reasons. For the animals they mean stress and suffering. This is why Animals’ Angels and ‘Viva’ support the shutdown of animal markets in Poland.
