Shocking cruelty before their slaughter

Visakhapatnam: Throwing caution to the wind and showing scant respect to AP Prohibition of Cow Slaughter and Animal Preservation Act, 1977, animals are starved, crammed into vehicles and finally slaughtered in the most grievous ways one can imagine.

Notwithstanding all the rant about cow as a holy animal and the topic taking centre stage at political forums, the reality on ground however has not changed for decades. India is the biggest exporter of beef earning a sizeable foreign exchange but the plight of animals is horrifying to say the least.

Field studies by Visakha Society for Protection and Care of Animals and Animals Angels of Germany during the last four years have revealed the horrifying picture of trading, transport and slaughter of these animals. Sophie Greger of Animals Angels said that she was horrified to find cattle crammed into smaller trucks though the Animal Transport Act of 1978 specifies compartments for each animal which means a truck can carry only six animals. “They (cattle) are kept hungry for days, dragged by ropes and beaten up before being bundled into the vans,’’ she said.

Sophie Greger said that under the Cattle Respect Programme India, they have launched an awareness programme in Andhra Pradesh educating the villagers, traders and slaughter house owners on how best cruelty can be mitigated against these animals.
“The response has been encouraging and I found some change among the villagers and those managing ‘gosalas’ (cow shelters). I understand this is a multi-crore business and yet can be done in a more dignified way,’’ she said.

Founder president of VSPCA Pradeep Nath said cows and buffaloes are brought to the 20 weekly shanties in Visakhapatnam district by farmers. They are sold to middlemen. The middlemen transport them to different destinations, including far off places like Kerala.
“From the shanty point to slaughter houses these animals are neither given fodder or water. Sometimes these journeys stretch to more than 10 days,’’ said Pradeep Nath. There are more than 200 illegal slaughtering places in Visakhapatnam district which get the animals from 13 recognised shanties. Nearly 54,000 cattle are slaughtered every month.

The demand for buffalo meat is around from Rs140 to Rs180 per kg while the meat of infirmed certified bulls fetches from Rs 120 to Rs140 per kg.Veal meat (calf meat) is a specialty now being served in big hotels. It means the pregnant cows are killed and womb is served. This is above Rs 500 per plate, Pradeep Nath said.

Joint director of animal husbandry Dr D Venkateswarulu told The Hans India that their duties were limited to forming committees at the village level to ensure prevention of cruelty.Veterinary doctors are sent to shanties to ensure fodder and water is given to the cattle. Vaccine is also given for prevention of diseases. “It is the duty of RTA and the police to monitor the transport of these animals,’’ he said.