Equine Rescue

‘Skin Trade’ Donkeys ‘Waiting to Die’ at ‘Horrific’ Markets

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by as published on Horse and Hound

“There’s about 700 donkeys coming here to wait to die. There’s no food, there’s no water…”

The ‘horrific’ conditions facing donkeys in markets in Tanzania have been highlighted by welfare groups.

The Donkey Sanctuary’s Alex Mayers and Thomas Kahema, founder of The Tanzanian Animal Welfare Society, recently visited a donkey market in Tanzania believed to be serving the skin trade.

Click Image to View Video

Click Image to View Video

During an emotional video, Mr Mayers described conditions for the donkeys as they waited to die.

“The market is far worse than I expected,” he said.

“There’s about 700 donkeys coming here to wait to die. There’s no food, there’s no water.

There’s very little reaction from the donkeys to the people, they’re very stressed.”

“Lots are showing signs of dehydration and hunger. Everything about these donkeys is really switched off — it’s really hard to see.

“The donkeys are dying every day.”…(CONTINUED)

http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/news/skin-trade-donkeys-waiting-die-horrendous-markets-613811

Categories: Equine Rescue, Horse News, The Force of the Horse, Uncategorized, Wild Burros

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12 replies »

  1. How do we stop & SAVE THEM? Where is ASPCA????? Who can help if INHUMANE can be rescued???? PLEZ stop this we are not barbarians…ENUF torture & unnecessary DEATH& CRUELTY ALREADY.WE BEG U TO STOP PLEASE

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  2. I just can’t read about this anymore. The cruelty humans do to Gods creatures is off the charts. And when I read or hear the BLM wants to send our Burros to foreign countries to help the people I cringe. Now these are the traditions or way of life that need to be changed. I wonder if the United Nations in some way could step in and help. Of course some people in this country are no better. To export and traffic US horses and other equines to foreign countries to be slaughtered for human consumption is unfathomable. The meat is toxic…period!! No ifs ands or buts. Our auction houses and slaughter pens here have been dotted with sick and injured animals also left to.die! Mares so terrified that they have delivered foals in dirt mud and manuare which die unless some kind people interven. The World as a whole needs to step up to the plate for these animals. Americans need to get with the program and start sending emails and calling regarding HR 113- The Safe Food, Safe Horse Export Act which would prevent US horses and other equines from being sent to slaughter in foreign countries. And the actions of some of the auctions as well. How does one sleep at night advertising family and companion horses on their websites and then when they don’t get the money they want they are shipped off to slaughter. We have a lot of work in this country to do! So how do we condemn other nations when some here in this country are guilty as well. And don’t think for one minute someone is not making purses out of ponies and foal hides. I have heard this too. And then we have our own Bureau of Land Management that wastes our tax dollars on useless, unscientific and cruel roundups of our Wild Hirses and Burros! Who knows what goes on here when no one is looking! Its just so disturbing!! These folks are uneducated and probably poor. So what’s our excuse in this country? Please support HR 113 – Safe Food, Safe Horse Export Act reintroduced by Representative Vern Buchanan of Florida by asking your Representative to cosponsor. We have alot going on in our country today. But our horses and other equines can’t wait.as thousands are shipped to slaughter weekly in inhumane trucks designed for.cattle!

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  3. From ANIMALS 24-7

    NSPCA Public Relations says

    Having obtained a warrant to enter the property of the Excelsior Lion Farm near Tosca in the North West province, NSPCA personnel uncovered evidence of large numbers of donkeys having been inhumanely slaughtered. We also uncovered approximately 100 skins.

    The donkeys had not been pre-stunned to render them unconscious prior to slaughter, the method of killing thus being in contravention of the Animals Protection Act, in terms of which, criminal charges are being laid.

    It is confirmed that 10 donkeys had been slaughtered during the night of 28 February.
    On the property is an abattoir which is registered for the slaughter of cattle plus sheep/goats: – but not for equine. Slaughtering donkeys in this facility is an offense.
    The NSPCA team alerted the SAPS Stock Theft Unit and also the North West Province’s Veterinary Public Health Service. As a result, these organizations have worked alongside and in collaboration with us. Charges are being laid in terms of the Animals Protection Act, Stock Theft Act and the Meat Safety Act.

    The NSPCA is of the opinion that this is a commercial operation which is involved in the donkey skin trade and also linked to the recent sale in Hartswater in the North West Province where an estimated 450 donkeys were auctioned and sold. NSPCA personnel were present at this auction, inspecting all animals and intervening when necessary Three horses, a donkey and three sheep were euthanized at the sale on 25 January 2017 due to the severity and degree of their suffering.

    The donkey skins found on the Tosca property are being removed to a place of safety. At this stage, approximately 100 skins have been loaded for removal.
    The NSPCA Inspectorate team remains in the area, working on the case. Updates will be given in due course as further information is received. http://www.facebook.com/nspca will be updated with visuals and additional comment or input as received by the National Council of SPCAs as matters continue to unfold.

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  4. From ANIMALS 24-7

    The National Council of SPCAs has pleasure in confirming that the Gumtree classified ad website’s Head of Communications, PR and Media, has advised: –
    “Gumtree has decided to ban the sale of all donkeys and mules on the site, not just the hides and byproducts. We hope that this will play a small part in reducing animal cruelty.”

    This is a significant step towards our ultimate aim of having no live animals traded online. Gumtree is applauded and this undertaking is appreciated. It is a meaningful step in the prevention of cruelty to animals and the protection of them by removing a specific market or forum for those who trade in them or their parts.

    The NSPCA has motivated why advertising animals for sale (or “free to a good home”) is unethical. It gives a forum to dubious practices including backyard breeding, trading in wildlife and exotic animals as well as having no welfare component when advertisements are placed. Online advertising effectively treats animals as commodities: -which they are not.

    “The donkey skin issue has brought the matter to the fore,” explained Christine Kuch of the NSPCA. “It is a major step forward that Gumtree has taken and for this we support and thank them. They have taken the lead on this issue and deserve credit for recognizing the implications and effect of Internet advertising of this kind.
    We call upon other web sites to follow this worthy lead and to widen this to include all animals.
    http://www.animals24-7.org/2017/02/26/under-the-skin-how-ejiao-threatens-the-common-ass/#comments

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  8. There are many versions of this — but anyone calling themselves a Christian should have serious objections to such barbaric treatment of donkeys:

    “Have you heard the legend of the Christian donkeys? This is the story that has been told about the little donkey who was Jesus’ mount on Palm Sunday.

    It is said that a donkey carried Mary to Bethlehem and is also referred to as a Nativity Donkey. The Nubian burro has a cross on its back because it is believed that these donkeys carried Jesus to Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.

    To ride on a donkey signified coming in peace, this symbolic event served to reinforce what Jesus had told the people of Israel: “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he [is] just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon a donkey, and upon a colt the foal of a donkey.”(Zachariah 9:9 KJV)

    Many Christians believe that the donkey had known what Jesus was about to go through with his trial and suffering. They say that seeing the tragic event of Jesus’ crucifixion, the donkey wished he had been able to carry the cross for Jesus, as he was the one who should carry such burdens. The donkey turned his back on the sight but he could not leave Jesus whom he had carried. He wished to stay until all was over because of his love and loyalty.

    In reward for the loyal and humble love of the donkey, the Lord caused the shadow of the cross to fall across his back and the donkey has carried the cross ever since as a sign that the love of God carries a reward for all to see.

    Each Christian Donkey carries a cross on its back that is unlike all the others. There are no two alike, each is defined by the cross they bear on their back. Many of these donkeys are called Jerusalem Donkeys, Christian Donkeys, and Mediterranean Donkeys because in the Middle East these burros are used in every day life such as farming or traveling purposes.

    The Cross on their back is how the Christian Donkeys are kept for record in their registration papers. The cross on their backs is in honor Jesus.”

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