Not-so donkey friendly: PETA seizes 500 kg donkey meat, 36 live donkeys from slaughterhouse in Prakasam

Prakasam: For the third time, on Wednesday, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India rescued donkeys which were kept to be slaughtered in the Prakasam district, Andhra Pradesh. This is also the first ever large seizure of donkeys meant for this purpose in India.

The Prakasam police, in a joint operation with PETA India, Gopal Surabathula of Animal Rescue Organisation and Vijay Kishore Palika of East Godavari SPCA, conducted raids in the district, seizing over 500 kilograms of donkey meat and 36 live donkeys which were slated to be slaughtered. Three persons involved in the illegal trade and slaughter have been arrested.

According to PETA, donkeys were found killed illegally and sold under the bridge of the Vijayawada-Ongole highway. Donkey meat and discarded body parts, including heads, legs, and flesh attached to tails, were seized by the police.

An FIR has been registered by Ongole taluk police station under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), 1860; The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960; and the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. The rescued donkeys have been moved to safety, ahead of permanent rehabilitation.

In Andhra Pradesh, butchers sell donkey meat by peddling unscientific myths about its supposed benefits, but killing donkeys and eating donkey meat violates a number of laws. Donkey slaughter violates Section 429 of the IPC, 1860, and is punishable with a jail term of up to five years, a fine, or both. Killing donkeys is also an offence under Section 11(1)(a) and (l) of the PCA Act, 1960. Consumption of donkey meat is illegal under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and slaughtering animals in public places is banned under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Slaughter House) Rules, 2001.

Previous cases:

-In October, Bapatla police, with PETA India, seized over 400 kilograms of donkey meat, registered three FIRs, and arrested 11 people in Chirala regarding the illegal donkey meat trade.

-On November 15, 16 donkeys were rescued, and 100 kilograms of donkey meat was seized in Bapatla. Bapatla police arrested four people in connection with the illegal donkey meat trade.

-A truck carrying 26 donkeys was intercepted by local volunteers and PETA India and was rescued on November 22 in the Prakasam district.