November 23-Report from the Animals ‘Angels organization
Animals ‘Angels inspected four animal markets in Romania.
For a good six years now, we have been denouncing the fact that the authorities are neither adequately controlling nor taking action against the mistreatment of ‘farm animals’ when they are sold and transported in the markets.
The animals are often brought to the market in the trunk of normal cars and sold directly from the cars.
Due to the animal disease warning, markets in the country are currently closed.
We are relieved.
But animals are still being sold illegally just a few meters away from the markets – albeit significantly less.
Partly under the eyes of the police.
Here we mainly meet chickens. They suffer from the cold and they tremble.
The chickens are housed in narrow cages or placed on the floor with their legs tied together.
They often have injuries to their wings and are cuffed by the legs.
The sellers put them on the floor like inanimate goods.
Interested buyers pick them up by the legs and wings and put them down again – as if they were heads of lettuce. They don’t care if they cause pain to animals.
Only a child shows empathy when it sees us petting the hen Emma and imitates us.
At our request, it also puts some cardboard under the animal to protect it from the cold.
At Christmas and Easter, animals are also illegally slaughtered directly in the markets.
Now that the markets are closed, hundreds and thousands of animals are no longer transported and are exposed to the heat or cold for hours without water or food, but that is not enough!
The cruel and reckless handling of the ‘farm animals’ was not eliminated.
For the transport of the animals are mostly completely unsuitable vehicles are used, such as vans or cars.
We demand that the Romanian authorities also control the unofficial markets and enforce the regulations for the protection of animals here.
From the same report: Large parts of Romania’s population live in the countryside and breed and keep animals for their own needs.
Since there is a brisk trade in these animals too, local animal markets have a long tradition here.
Since Romania joined the EU in 2007, the EU laws on the protection of animals should also apply here.
However, our research over the past few years clearly shows that these laws are largely disregarded in the market.
In the animal markets in Romania, the applicable EU laws are hardly enforced. We keep observing and documenting similar problems there:
-The animals are transported in all kinds of unsuitable vehicles: on horse-drawn carts, bicycles, in the trunk of cars or on the back of mini-vans and sprinters.
-Due to the lack of infrastructure, the animals are often sold directly from the vehicles and not kept in pens.
-The animals usually do not get any water – even in summer.
-The animals are tied by the legs, placed on the often wet, cold and dirty floor, and offered for sale.
-Violent handling, such as B. wearing or grinding on individual limbs, wings or ears.
-Illegal slaughter in many markets (mainly before Christmas or Easter).
-So-called ‘pull tests’ for horses, in which the animals usually have to pull heavy objects with lashes in order to demonstrate their strength.
-No or insufficient supervision or sanctions by the responsible veterinarians.
Left: chickens with their legs tied together. Middle: A pig is dragged around its jaw onto a cart with the help of a metal wire. Right: A horse being lashed with the whip during a so-called “pull test”
Large parts of Romania’s population live in the countryside and breed and keep animals for their own needs.
Since there is a brisk trade in these animals too, local animal markets have a long tradition here.
Since Romania joined the EU in 2007, the EU laws on the protection of animals should also apply here.
However, our research over the past few years clearly shows that these laws are largely disregarded in the markets.
In the animal markets in Romania, the applicable EU laws are hardly enforced. We keep observing and documenting similar problems there:
The animals are transported in all kinds of unsuitable vehicles: on horse-drawn carts, bicycles, in the trunk of cars or on the back of mini-vans and sprinters.
Due to the lack of infrastructure, the animals are often sold directly from the vehicles and not kept in pens.
The animals usually do not get any water – even in summer.
The animals are tied by the legs, placed on the often wet, cold and dirty floor, and offered for sale.
Violent handling, such as wearing or grinding on individual limbs, wings or ears.
Illegal slaughter in many markets (mainly before Christmas or Easter).
So-called ‘pull tests’ for horses, in which the animals usually have to pull heavy objects with lashes in order to demonstrate their strength.
No or insufficient supervision or sanctions by the responsible veterinarians.
Brute force and ruthlessness often rule these markets.
Everyone wants to sell at any price.
Cattle are tied by the horns and are beaten for no reason because people are afraid of them.
Sheep, chickens and turkeys lie tied up like parcels on the floor.
The whole thing reaches its climax when pigs are brutally slaughtered in the days leading up to Christmas.
All live animal markets in the world must be closed.
Because for the animals these markets are hell on earth.
My best regards to all, Venus
World Animals Voice 