A freelancer of Eyes on Animals and Animal Welfare Foundation inspected animals crossing through from EU to Turkey today. Sadly, the animal-suffering horrors appear to continue here. Today a truck from the Bulgarian company “Alex” transported sheep over the border that were too advanced in their gestation. While being unloaded at the “Vet Station” on the Turkish side of the border, to be checked that no male sheep were hidden among the consignment, many of the pregnant sheep started lambing.
Due to stress of giving birth in transit, in total 12 new-born lambs died and one mother sheep. The Turkish veterinarian at the station did nothing to protect the welfare of these sheep during this process. We plan to send in these photos and a letter of complaint to the officials in the exporting Member State that approved the transport of these sheep that were far too advanced in their gestation (EU law requires that pregnant animals be less than 90% into their gestation period when transported to avoid any risk that they give birth in transit). We will also complain to the business people directly involved and inform the EU and Turkish authorities.
