Fwd: (IN) pilgrim donkeys

[Guest guest]

*Season of woes for pack donkeys *

 

Staff Reporter

*Ill-treatment: Workers packing gunny bags of jaggery on the back of donkeys at

Pampa for carrying them to the Sannidhanam. *

 

PATHANAMTHITTA: State Animal Welfare Board member A.G. Babu has called upon the

district administration to take immediate steps to check cruelty against pack

donkeys at Sabarimala.

 

In a statement here on Wednesday, Mr. Babu alleged that these donkeys were

often overburdened violating the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Transport

of Animals on Foot) Rules, 2001.

 

Contractors of the Travancore Devaswom Board transported jaggery and rice to

the Sannidhanam on the back of these animals.

 

" Though the rules say that the maximum load to be placed on the back

of a healthy donkey is 50 kg, contractors were often found transporting 75

kg to 100 kg. Moreover, the animal is not given proper rest, " Mr. Babu

alleged.

 

These donkeys were being brought from the border areas in Tamil Nadu.

 

Mr. Babu said the District Collector, who is also chairman of the district

unit of the Society for Prevention of Cruelty against Animals, should

intervene in the issue.

 

Herds of donkeys carrying goods uphill often posed difficulty to pilgrims

trekking the steep route to Sabarimala, he added.

 

Dry donkey dung caused lung ailments to pilgrims as well as employees on

deputation at Sabarimala.

 

" The contractors often adopt crude methods to identify their herds.

Cutting the ear-end and tail-end, lacerating the abdomen and face, removing

hair from the head, back are some of the methods adopted, " he said.

 

Though a seasonal veterinary dispensary has been functioning at Pampa since

1996 on a directive of the Kerala High Court to check cruelty towards

animals, enforcement of rules is often wanting.

 

**

 

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