Animal Welfare organizations unite to close the cruel San Bernabe Slaughter Auction in Mexico

Equine Welfare organizations around the world are responding to an appeal by their Mexican counterparts requesting support in forcing an end to the blatant cruelty and abuse at the San Bernabe Slaughter Auction in the Municipality of Almoloya de Juárez.

A video appeal was released on July 3, revealing the common place abuse of equines heading to slaughter. In an incident that is said to be typical of the mistreatment, a pregnant mare with a broken foot was pushed off a ramp that resulted in her breaking both of her knees. In obvious agony, she was dragged off to slaughter.

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Owner Leroy Baker finally has to pay the $177,559.51 fine – US District Court for the Northern District of Ohio ordered garnishments

Animals’ Angels was just informed that on April 4th, 2011, when Executive Director Sonja Meadows met with officials in Ohio to discuss the further course of action in regards to Sugarcreek Auction, the District Court for the Northern District of Ohio notified Baker that a garnishment is being taken by the United States of America. Copies of the Writ of the continuing Garnishment have been sent to Baker’s financial institutions.

According to court documents obtained by Animals’ Angels, the financial institutions already responded and disclosed the amount of money available for garnishment.

Baker was originally ordered to pay $162,800.00 by the USDA on October 1^st, 2008. However, Baker refused to pay and called the decision and the charges against him “bogus”. On October 27, 2010, the Ohio District Court confirmed the earlier decision and ordered Baker to pay $172,621.66. In March 2011, Animals’ Angels issued a release questioning government officials why this debt has not been collected and calling supporters to action. Ohio officials received thousands of letters, email and phone calls.

European Commission Food & Veterinary Office releases report about their visit of Mexican Horse Slaughter Plants and US Export Pens – effective traceability of drug residues questionable

The Food and Veterinary Office carried out a mission in Mexico from November 22^nd to December 3^rd, 2010. The objective was to follow up on previous visits and to check if import requirements for horse meat into the European Union are being followed. The inspectors visited four slaughter plants, three collecting center and one US export pen.

Animals’ Angels received the inspection report today and we are currently reviewing the details. While the FVO concluded that the overall conditions had improved, multiple areas of concern remain – especially in regards to the current traceability of horses imported from the US.

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Read the full length report...

Watch the video here ...

http://www.wtov9.com/news/27027510/detail.html

Over 450 dogs were offered for sale on this cold Saturday morning at the Holmes County auction. 300 of them were brought in by Minnesota breeder Wanda Kretzman, who has been issued multiple citations by USDA. The dogs were housed in cages stacked along the sides of three 45 feet long trailers. Each trailer was heated by a small propane heater, which provided very little warmth. Investigators noted several dogs with mucous discharge from the eyes, skin inflammations and overgrown nails. No solid flooring was provided inside the cages, all dogs had to walk on bare wire causing their toes to spread unnaturally. Some dogs appeared lethargic while others were frantically pacing from side to side. The poor conditions confirm the urgent need for a complete ban of such sales. Signatures are currently being gathered all across Ohio for a ballot initiative. Documentation obtained by Animals’ Angels at the January 15^th sale will be used to support the initiative.