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

ANIMALS’ ANGELS kontrolliert den Rindermarkt in Bodzentyn. Die Rampe zum Be- und Entladen der Tiere wird trotz anwesender Polizei nur von zwei Transportern angefahren. Auf einem Transporter entdeckt unser Team eine rotweiße Kuh namens Foka. Sie ist erschöpft hingefallen. Wir verständigen den anwesenden Arzt, der die Entladung von fünf Kühen aus diesem Transporter anordnet. Auf der ANIMALS’ ANGELS Station korrigieren wir die Klauen von Kuh Cicha (9 Jahre).

ANIMALS’ ANGELS und Anda pilgern auf dem Jakobsweg für die Tiere. Bilder von Tieren, die nicht in Vergessenheit geraten sollen, begleiten die Pilger auf ihrem wegen des stürmischen Wetters oft beschwerlichen Weg. Statt den üblichen Kontrollen, Begleitfahrten, Anzeigen, Beschwerden und Meetings wollen ANIMALS’ ANGELS und Anda auf diesem Weg auf das Leiden der Tiere aufmerksam machen und ihre Liebe zu ihnen unter Beweis stellen. Die spanischen Medien interessieren sich für die Aktion und geben den Pilgern unterwegs mehrfach die Möglichkeit ihr Anliegen im Radio kundzutun. In den ländlichen Gegenden Nordwestspanien sind Rinder, Schafe, Ziegen, Pferde und Hühner viel draußen und die Pilger freuen sich über das kleine Stück Freiheit, dass den Tieren gegönnt wird. Traurig hingegen ist der Blick in viele Ställe. Diese sind oft dunkel und dreckig. Der Esel Miguel steht angebunden auf meterhohem Mist, die Ziegen Lola und Maria sind in einem völlig dunklen Verschlag eingesperrt, in den „Milch“kuhhaltungen sind die Liegeflächen für die Tiere viel zu kurz. Am traurigsten ist der Blick in einen Maststall für Schweine: Kahle Betonbuchten – ohne Einstreu, ohne Tageslicht, ein Leben ohne jemals die natürlichen Bedürfnisse ausleben zu können. Der Jakobsweg war eine schöne Erfahrung eines anderen Einsatzes für die Tiere. Jetzt geht die übliche Arbeit von ANIMALS’ ANGELS und Anda für die Tiere weiter.

Zur langen Nacht der Wissenschaften hält ANIMALS’ ANGELS drei Vorträge in der veterinärmedizinischen Bibliothek der FU: Veterinär gesucht: Hilfe für die ’Milch’kühe“. Die Inspektorinnen berichten einem sehr gemischten Publikum über die Zustände in deutschen Kuhställen, über das Leiden der ’Milch’kühe und die Rolle des Veterinärs. Die Besucherzahl ist gering, aber die Zuhörer sind sehr berührt und stellen viele Fragen. Wieder einmal ist es erschreckend, wie wenig die Bevölkerung über das Leid der Tiere informiert ist. Noch immer ist die Tatsache, dass Kühe Kälber austragen müssen um Milch zu geben, vielen Menschen unbekannt! Die lange Nacht der Wissenschaften bildet den Abschluss einer Reihe von Veranstaltungen im Rahmen unserer Ausstellung “Veterinär gesucht“ an der FU Berlin.

Animals’ Angels team was checking live animal transport from Eastern Europe to Italy. During the course of our investigation we have not encountered major violations of the transport directive. (Übersetzung folgt)

ANIMALS’ ANGELS visits this yard for first time to meet with saleyard manager. This yard is NSQA accredited and has cattle but no sheep. Yard also operates as pound yards during the week. Good access to water and earth floored yards here. Need to establish if ‘suspect’ animals are being dealt with according to provisions of welfare codes of practice and NSQA; and need for emergency phone number signage in loading area of the yard, especially for loading/unloading animals out of hours. (Übersetzung folgt)

ANIMALS’ ANGELS documents 28 transports taking 19540 sheep to the ship Ocean Drover for live export to the Middle East for slaughter (without pre-stunning). AQIS who are responsible for ensuring compliance to health requirements of the Australian export regulations are not observed. The State Animal Welfare Unit inspectors who are responsible for enforcing 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. There is no AW Unit Inspector to attend the possible downers thus preventing cruelty from occurring at this port. We note sheep with sharp horns, eye infections and shearing cuts and 2 lose sheep running around the port area. (Übersetzung folgt)

ANIMALS’ ANGELS presented evidence from numerous CA auctions. We reported on the common problems observed and also on specific areas of concern. The biggest concern continues to be older dairy cows. They are often in very poor, weakened condition and arrive or become non ambulatory at auction. AA’s position is that cows unable to bear weight on all four legs should never be accepted for sale; that every auction should create a “slow pen” with plenty of room, water, food and shelter for “high risk” cows; and that every auction should implement a euthanasia protocol. Agreement was reached regarding our main concerns. Also discussed was working together on animal handling guidelines and educational seminars for dairy producers. ANIMALS’ ANGELS will provide downer protocol and investigative pictures for educational purposes. The LMA representative agreed to a write letter to all LMA member auctions, asking them for open and constructive communication with ANIMALS’ ANGELS to discuss areas of concerns discovered at the individual market. We believe that the meeting was productive and a very important step on the way to improve the animal welfare at California auctions. (Übersetzung folgt)

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. (Übersetzung folgt)

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. (Übersetzung folgt)

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. (Übersetzung folgt)