Also, the Animal Nepal, a network of animal rights activists, will start operation of the donkey sanctuary in Godavari for a dedicated care facility from October 16. Once the fencing job is completed, some 14 donkeys, rescued over the past two months, will be transferred to the center from Chobhar, where they are currently kept. Of them, nine were rescued from Khopasi a week back in worst health conditions. Earlier, some 55 other donkeys died in Khopasi in one of the worse cases of animal cruelty.
Many sub-contractors bring the donkeys to Kathmandu from Nepalgunj during the end of monsoon when the work at the brick-kilns resume. They are made to carry heavy loads back and forth from the brickyard to the factories, but are kept under inhumane conditions. "At Khopasi, the donkeys died due to lack of care. They are kept in small sheds and are hardly given enough to eat and drink," an Animal Nepal member told myrepublica.com.
Usually, the donkeys are taken back and left at the place where they are picked from. But in this case, the sub-contractor did not take the donkeys back and left them in care of a local, who due to his own financial difficulties could not provide enough care to the innocent animals.
"At the brick-kilns, the donkeys are made to work for long strenuous hours. They are made to carry heavy loads even when they sustain wounds in their backs," Pramada Shah, the coordinator of Animal Nepal said, adding, "We had to face much problem picking them up."
The Quarantine Department, which is responsible for checking animal mobility, seems to have not been serious in this regard. "The animals, especially donkeys and buffaloes, brought from outside the Valley, are hardly taken for health check-ups," a police inspector posted at Thankot checkpoint said. "We have seen 40-50 buffaloes crammed in one truck. This is against the rule," he added.
As per the Animal Transport Guidelines, the animals being transported inside the Valley must go through a regular health inspection. But that is hardly the case here. It says that transportation of animals should be planned to minimize transit time, the animals should be protected against environmental extremes, overcrowding should be avoided, they should be provided food and water properly and they should be protected against physical trauma. The guidelines also mention that shipment should be inspected and there must be coordination of ordering and receiving the animals in presence of animal-care personnel.
"Our main objective is to raise awareness against animal cruelty," Shah further said, adding, "The passing of Animal Welfare Act will be crucial in this regard."
akanshya@myrepublica.com
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