Eyes on Animals discreetly observes a pig assembly station in Benelux. Two downer pigs ( a downer is an animal that is so injured or weak that he is she can no longer walk) are delivered by truck. Both are mistreated- the one is dragged out by her ear and the other is left all night outside on bare concrete despite the cold temperature. Both Anna and Lite are sadly found dead a day later. Eyes on Animals will continue monitoring this assembly center and report all results to the authorities and those retailers linked to this station.
Violations:
COUNCIL REGULATION (EC) No 1/2005 of 22 December 2004 on the protection of animals during transport and related operations and amending Directives 64/432/EEC and 93/119/EC and Regulation (EC) No 1255/97.
Article 3:
No person shall transport animals or cause animals to be transported in a way likely to cause injury or undue suffering to them and
b) the animals must be fit for the journey;
e) the personnel handling animals are trained or competent as appropriate for this purpose and carry out their tasks without using violence or any method likely to cause unnecessary fear, injury or suffering;
Annex 1, Ch. 1 Point 2: Animals that are injured or that present physiological weaknesses or pathological processes shall not be considered fir for transport and in particular if:
a) They are unable to move independently without pain or to walk unassisted.
Point 4: When animals fall ill or are injured during transport, they shall be separated from the others and receive first-aid treatment as soon as possible. They shall be given appropriate veterinary treatment and if necessary undergo emergency slaughter or killing in a way which does not cause them any unnecessary suffering.
Annex 1, Ch III Point 1.8 a) It shall be prohibited to strike or kick the animals.
d) lift or drag the animals by the tail or ear.
Point 1.10 At assembly centres, animals shall have access to water.
Annex 1, Ch VII (D) All pigs must be able to lie down and stand up in their natural position.
Article 9
1. Operators of assembly centres shall ensure that animals are treated in accordance with the technical rules set out in Chapters I and III, section 1, of Annex I.
