Sadly the quality of many roads and trucks in Ghana are such that many animals suffer greatly during transport. Potholes and lack of suspension are just some of the causes. Cattle selected to go to slaughter are sometimes already weak or injured and thus frequently arrive as total downers. Without captive bolt stunners or proper unloading equipment these animals are always dragged from the truck into the slaughter hall by their tail or via a rope tied around the neck, fully conscious. It causes excruciating pain and fear. It is unrealistic at this point to insist on these animals being euthanized on the “farm” or not accepted by the abattoir, but we could still do something quickly that would bring some relief ; Eyes on Animals and Wacpaw have built and now donated a trolley to the Bolgatanga abattoir in Ghana so that downer cattle as of today can at least be rolled in, and not dragged. The Chief butcher couldn’t thank us more for the support and promised to ensure that the equipment was fully utilized and maintained.
Earlier in the day, the team paid a courtesy call on the Municipal Chief Executive Officer of Bolgatanga at his private residence. We briefed him about our programs in his municipality and asked for his support to improve the human animal relationship and general welfare of animals in his jurisdiction. He welcomed us into the municipality and pledged to give us all the support we need to enhance our work and improve the lives of the animals. Via education, concrete steps and by building trustful relationships with those transporting and slaughtering cattle, EonA and WACPAW hope to be able to change the mentality towards “slaughter” animals and quickly make conditions for the animals a little less horrible.
