Film Star Moved by Officers’ Animal Rescue Efforts
Chennai -- Hema Malini, star of famous movies like Dream Girl and Sholay, is sending dozens of assorted flowers today to the police officers who have been seizing slaughterhouse-bound lorries overcrowded with cattle and arresting the drivers.
One seized lorry was packed with 21 pregnant buffaloes. As soon as the animals were rescued from the cramped lorry and sheltered, they delivered their calves. Many were stillborn because of their mothers’ stress.
Another night, the police seized nearly 400 cattle and goats being illegally transported to slaughterhouses. The officers conducted the raids simultaneously in St Thomas Mount, Thirunindravur, Red Hills and Poonamailee. The rescued animals included about 360 goats and about 40 bullocks. More than 250 of the goats were crammed into a single truck permitted by law to hold only 40. Their injuries included broken legs and severed spinal cords. The police seized seven vehicles, including four lorries and three tempos, and arrested all the drivers.
"My heart goes out to these poor animals", said Ms. Malini, a vegetarian, "and I am deeply grateful to these wonderful officers for their actions".
Demand for meat and leather has spawned a grotesquely cruel underground industry in India. The horrific conditions in which the animals are transported has drawn the attention and support of numerous celebrities including Sir Paul McCartney, Pamela Anderson, Steven Seagal and Jackie Chan.
Jason Baker of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals in Mumbai says, "Humane people around the world are watching India’s treatment of animals. We applaud the Chennai officers for taking action and urge other officers to do so, too".
For more information on PETA’S transport campaign please visit www.PETAIndia.com
