New Training Videotape Launched in West Bengal, Other States to Join Campaign
For Immediate Release:
6 October 2001
Contact:
Jason Baker (0) 98201 22602
Kolkota – At PETA’s request, West Bengal’s Police Departments will show its staff and police trainees a training videotape to assist its officers in cracking down on violations of anti-cruelty laws during transport of animals. The video is narrated by A.K. Bannerji, former inspector general of Police of Uttar Pradesh and former joint director for the Central Bureau of Investigations.
“This tape will enable officers to be better prepared to act when animals are abused. India’s animal cruelty laws will be strictly enforced and anyone who violates these laws will be punished,” says Mr.A.M.Joardar, Deputy Inspector General of Police- Training
The video outlines typical violations of the law during transport, including beating, overcrowding, inhumane slaughter and withholding food, water and veterinary care. The video also details the animal protection laws the police are expected to enforce.
PETA documented grotesque violations of the law during undercover investigations that exposed India’s cruel underground leather and meat trade. Corrupt skin- and flesh-traders use bribes to smuggle the animals across state borders to slaughter during the night. Cows, calves and buffaloes are marched for days without food or even a drop of water, in direct violation of the Constitution of India. Those who collapse have chilli peppers and tobacco rubbed into their eyes and their tails broken in an effort to keep them moving. Handlers then cram as many as 30 cows and buffaloes into lorries designed to hold only six to eight animals. The gentle cattle inadvertently gouge and trample each other during the drive over old and deeply rutted roads.
PETA also found that many slaughterhouses fail to set and uphold even minimum humane, hygiene, religious and legal standards for slaughter and animal-handling. Investigators have witnessed frightened buffaloes and bullocks being slaughtered in full view of each other on the floor, then shackled and hoisted upside down to be bled while still conscious. Diseased cattle and cattle injured during transport are left untreated.
In January 2000, PETA launched a campaign to end these abuses. Chrissie Hynde of the rock group The Pretenders led protests in America and Europe, where Indian leather is imported. Former Beatle Sir Paul McCartney, Arun Gandhi, grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, the Dalai Lama, Jackie Chan and Kula Shakur musician Crispian Mills have written to the Indian prime minister asking for protection for cattle.
For more complete information on PETA’s campaign, visit our Web site at www.PETAIndia.com.
