Once again, this year’s Easter cattle market in Schagen (NL) raised serious concerns about animal-welfare. Many animals exhibited clear signs of cold stress and fear. Several cattle slipped and fell while being sprayed with water—an experience that is both painful and terrifying for prey animals like cattle, who instinctively fear being on the ground, where they feel most … [Read more...] about Welfare concerns at yearly cattle market in Schagen (NL)
animal welfare inspection
Presentation to the German Veterinary Association (TVT) on poultry transport
This past weekend, Eyes on Animals gave a presentation to the (poultry) transport working group of the German Veterinary Association (TVT). The enforcement policy of the NVWA regarding catching injuries was a hot topic! In the Netherlands, both the poultry farmer and the catching team are fined if more than 1% of the flock shows catching injuries (severe bleedings). This … [Read more...] about Presentation to the German Veterinary Association (TVT) on poultry transport
RTE Prime Time: Irish calves mistreated for export
On October 8, 2024, the Irish investigative program RTE Prime Time aired a shocking documentary about the export of Irish calves, responding to findings from Eyes on Animals, Ethical Farming Ireland, L214, and Dier&Recht. The documentary reveals various violations: calves are deprived of milk for extended periods, are mistreated at the Irish assembly center in Kerry, … [Read more...] about RTE Prime Time: Irish calves mistreated for export
Irish calves transported to the Netherlands: starved, abused, and left to die
In March 2024, a joint investigation by Ethical Farming Ireland, Eyes on Animals, Dier&Recht, and L214 uncovered continued abuse of unweaned Irish calves during transport to Europe. Despite numerous reports and promises of reform, calves are still being deprived of milk for dangerously long periods and subjected to harsh physical treatment by handlers -both in clear … [Read more...] about Irish calves transported to the Netherlands: starved, abused, and left to die
Work at Buipe cattle market, Ghana
Last week the Wacpaw/EonA team visited the Buipe livestock market in Ghana’s Savannah Region, one of the country's largest. Every Monday, 800 to 1000 cattle are brought in from across Ghana and neighboring countries like Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso, with over 60 trucks leaving the market for various destinations. The transport methods—three-wheel mini trucks, Kia trucks, … [Read more...] about Work at Buipe cattle market, Ghana
Follow-up inspection at Pelungu dog-meat market, Ghana
Our Wacpaw/EonA team in Ghana did a follow-up check at the Pelungu market where a spot under a big baobab tree is allocated for selling live dogs and butchering them for meat. As usual, some of the traders were a bit apprehensive about our engagement with them until their chief intervened. Nearly 40 dogs including puppies were brought for sale. Many of those who brought … [Read more...] about Follow-up inspection at Pelungu dog-meat market, Ghana
Inspection of donkey slaughters in Bolga, Ghana
The WACPAW/EonA team are again in Bolga for a four day assessment and inspection of Animal Cruelty and pet (dog) meat consumption. The team started its inspections at Awinpala’s donkey slaughter slab. Awinpala is a known donkey butcher within his community. He mostly slaughters between 15 to 24 donkeys per week or sometimes more depending on the demand. He buys the donkeys … [Read more...] about Inspection of donkey slaughters in Bolga, Ghana
Severe heat stress in sows on board of stationary truck
This afternoon, Eyes on Animals discovered an animal-truck parked in the parking lot of a gas station near VION Groenlo abattoir with culled sows and a few boars on board. The truck was in the full sun (30°C), causing the animals on board to experience severe heat stress. Additionally, fights broke out between the animals, further exacerbating the stress. Eyes on Animals … [Read more...] about Severe heat stress in sows on board of stationary truck
Heat stress inspection at Van Rooi pig slaughterhouse in Helmond (NL)
Today (31°C in the shade, 35°C in the sun), we visited Van Rooi pig slaughterhouse in Helmond. Although the afternoon shift was canceled due to the heat, which is a positive step, it remained very busy until at least 4:00 PM. There were as many as nine trucks, loaded with pigs, waiting under the canopy. Waiting times extended to an hour or more. Even though no pigs were … [Read more...] about Heat stress inspection at Van Rooi pig slaughterhouse in Helmond (NL)
Inspection on a hot day at Vion pig slaughterhouse in Boxtel
Today, Eyes on Animals was on the road again due to the extreme heat. In the afternoon, around 1:30 PM, we visited VION in Boxtel to check if, like the previous week, there were any stationary pig trucks waiting along the public road in the sun. Fortunately, this was not the case. There were also no trucks parked under the canopy. During our visit, one … [Read more...] about Inspection on a hot day at Vion pig slaughterhouse in Boxtel
