Seven Camels Rescued From Being Illegally Sacrificed Ahead of Eid in Kashmir

After learning that seven camels were reportedly being sold for sacrifice ahead of Eid through a video that was circulating on Facebook, Devinder Kaur Madaan of Save Animals Value Environment (SAVE) alerted PETA India and local authorities which led to the animals’ rescue. PETA India swiftly collaborated with SAVE, Ashwini Guru ji and Sunalika Jamwal from Dhyan Foundation and the Baramulla district administration to secure the animals’ safety. All seven camels were successfully rescued and have since been entrusted to Dhyan Foundation for rehabilitation and lifelong care.

Thanks to the compassion and quick action of authorities, seven camels will never be slaughtered or forced to endure cruelty again. We hope this story will inspire the public to help other animals by refusing to sacrifice or eat them. We commend the Baramulla district administration for taking steps to send a message that cruelty to animals will not be tolerated.

The Food Safety and Standards (Food Products Standards and Food Additives) Regulations, 2011, state that only sheep, pigs, cattle, goats, poultry, fish, and rabbits are permitted to be killed for meat (not camels). In addition, under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Slaughter House) Rules, 2001, and the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Regulations, 2011, the slaughter of animals for food is permissible only in registered or licensed slaughterhouses equipped with species-specific stunning methods for rendering animals unconscious before killing them.