Animals\' Angels - wir sind bei den Tieren | we are there with the animals

We never lose sight of our goal: Long-distance transportation of animals must end!

The work of ANIMALS 'ANGELS is often laborious and tedious. Persistence and decisiveness help us to achieve improvements for the animals. Often, a success is the result of years of preparatory and persistent work.
Examples can be found here of large and small successes we have achieved through our work in recent years.

Successful Lawsuit Brought Against Italian Slaughterhouse 
In 2006, investigators from ANIMALS' ANGELS witnessed 'downer cows' being dragged out of trucks by means of a chain attached to a fork-lift truck at a slaughterhouse in the Italian region of Lombardia. ANIMALS' ANGELS brought its observations to the attention of the Public Attorney in Italy. As a result, a successful lawsuit was brought against those responsible for this animal abuse and breach of the regulations. 
In March 2009, a "settlement judgement" on the punishment against those held responsible was reached between the lawyer of the accused and the Public Attorney and subsequently agreed by the trial judge. This "settlement judgement" included the four months prison sentence handed down to the legal representative of the slaughterhouse, being amended to a fine of Euro 4,560. Four other men, one of whom was the slaughterhouse veterinarian on duty at the time the offences were committed, each had their three months prison sentences amended to individual fines of Euro 3,420.  
ANIMALS' ANGELS was informed in December 2009, that the "settlement judgement" is now irrevocable and can neither be challenged nor amended.

A ray of hope for the animals in Ceuta
After six years ANIMALS’ ANGELS’ persistent work in Ceuta is finally producing some initial results. After years of unanswered letters and requests for a meeting with the Health Ministry of the autonomous City of Ceuta, ANDA and ANIMALS’ ANGELS have approached the Spanish ombudsman and will now finally be received by the regional Ministries of Health, together with representatives of the Halal Institute. It’s all about improving the animal welfare situation during slaughter on the occasion of the Muslim sacrificial festival. The authority is now willing to work together and an action plan is to be drawn up in January 2010.  It is therefore hoped that when the next festival takes place, it will do so under better welfare conditions for the animals.

Training in Rates
ANIMALS’ ANGELS has achieved lasting improvements for the animals at the cattle market in Rates. After a new veterinarian was hired, the entry inspections were tightened, the market installations were improved and the market workers completed animal welfare training. ANIMALS’ ANGELS has also now provided training for the market users. The farmers, dealers and transporters showed great interest in the training; questions were asked and there was much constructive discussion. A representative from the Ministry of Agriculture participated in the training.

The ANIMALS’ ANGELS Team treated 32 horses, one pony and four cows. A total of 23 horses had their hooves corrected and three cows their claws. We removed the old, rusty horseshoes on one horse and took care of leg wounds on three horses. Now all of the animals are able to walk again without pain. One horse received treatment to its teeth, three horses were de-wormed and on two horses we exchanged rusty halters and snaffles for new ones.

The Italian show “Striscia la Notizia” was tipped off that animal abuse was taking place on a farm in Signa (near Florence) where among other things, animals were being slaughtered without stunning. Animals’ Angels accompanied the television crew to the farm. The owners, who initially thought we were prospective buyers, admitted to slaughtering animals without stunning them. In addition, they admitted that they not only used the meat for their own consumption but also sold it and proceeded to try and sell us pork.  Selling meat directly from a farm is prohibited by law. We also saw dogs in a neglected state and cows tethered in a dark stable. Overall the farm was in a very dilapidated condition.
»The television show was broadcast in Italy a few days later. »According to the press release of the Italian Ministry for Labor, Health and Social Matters an inspection by the carabinieri NAS belonging to the ministry was ordered one day after the television report was broadcast. In addition, the press report stated that the owners of the animals were reported to law enforcement agencies for animal cruelty and other matters relating to waste disposal.

After numerous complaints from ANIMALS’ ANGELS, the structure of the floor by the loading ramps at the market in Pola de Siero has been improved.  Previously, the ground was very slippery and was an additional stress factor for the animals and represented a considerable risk of injury for both humans and animals.

Due to a complaint by ANIMALS’ ANGELS and ANDA against a transporter from the region of Galicia, the Galician authorities ordered the entrepreneur to rebuild his loading ramp and vehicles so that they now complied with animal protection provisions.

Thanks to the continual complaints by ANIMALS’ ANGELS and ANDA, further improvements for the animals have been carried out at the market in Rates:

• The pens now each contain a second self-serve drinking system for the animals.
• Two isolation pens were set up which are equipped with padlocks. This is to prevent animals unfit for transport or which have been seized from being removed without the knowledge of the veterinarians.

The ANIMALS’ ANGELS Team treated 42 horses, 2 ponies, 1 donkey and 5 cows. Overall, 36 horses had their hooves corrected and 4 cows their claws. Now all of the animals are able to walk pain-free again. One horse had its teeth treated, 3 horses were de-wormed and three horses had wounds treated and received antibiotics.

Due to a complaint made by ANIMALS’ ANGELS, the Regulator was persuaded to send  an inspector to check on weak calves at a saleyard in Queensland. In addition because of another complaint by ANIMALS’ ANGELS, an extension officer from the Regulators office will also be sent to another saleyard in Queensland to carry out welfare education.

Italy, Monte Cremasco:
During a routine inspection of a cattle farm, the carabinieri NAS found 161 calves tethered with ropes or chains less than 1 meter in length.  The calves could barely move. In addition, the calves were not correctly identified with the required ear tags and severe violations were found with regard to the use of medications.  
The carabinieri filed a complaint for animal abuse against the farmer and imposed fines in excess of 90,000 euro. The animals were seized. The competent veterinary authority ordered the farmer to remove the tethering setup. ( »Source)

Italy, Avellino:
A dealer who was transporting 1,700 exotic animals such as terrapins, Japanese squirrels, chameleons and birds in his vehicle, was inspected by the Guardia die Finanza near Avellino. Charges were filed against the dealer for animal abuse. The majority of the animals are covered by the Washington Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species. The animals were taken to an animal clinic. ( »Source)

Market in Torrelavega:
During an inspection of the market in Torrelavega extensive improvements for the animals were found: 

• The pens have been renovated and driving corridors set up that simplify the handling of the animal.
• New drinking systems have been installed.
• All of the pens have sufficient straw.
• Young calves are only tethered in exceptional cases.
• Two persons have been hired to check on the proper accommodation of the animals.
• A team of veterinarians from the highest veterinary authority in the region will now in the future be regularly inspecting the market, checking particularly on the handling as well as the loading and unloading of the animals.
• The animal protection placards designed by Animals' Angels have been hung up in many places at market.  

These improvements are largely due to the joint inspections and complaints by ANDA and Animals' Angels.

Market in Corao:
After the repeat inspection of the market in Corao by ANDA and Animals’ Angels, the operator of this market now promises to have the necessary renovations done to the market premises in order to improve the situation for the animals.

The Animals’ Angels Team treated 48 horses and four cows. A total of 34 horses had their hooves corrected and the claws on four cows were also corrected. Now all of the animals are able to walk properly again. One horse had its teeth treated, eight horses were de-wormed; six horses were treated for hoof growths and a further three horses had their wounds treated and given antibiotics.

Undercover Investigation shows improvement at Escalon Livestock Auction
A return visit to Escalon Livestock Auction showed that the situation at the auction had started to improve. During the investigators visit, two downers were observed. In both cases, auction employees took the appropriate action in a timely manner and euthanized the suffering animals. During all previous visits, the investigators had observed downer cows being left to die. The improvement is a result of the pressure Animals’ Angels put on the market by reporting the incidents to the California Farm Bureau, the State Veterinarian and the District Attorney’s office.

Five years of lobbying in relation to the handling of animals has finally come to fruition, with low stress stock handling courses being provided for live export ports in northern West Australia.

Prosecutor’s Office investigating case of non-ambulatory cow
For a year investigation proceedings have been ongoing against the operator of an assembly center, two of his employees and the driver of a forwarding company because of the loading and transport of a non-ambulatory sick cow. Animals’ Angels had observed two employees of the assembly center dragging the cow into a transporter using a pelvic clamp and forklift, then called the police and filed charges. While initially the proceedings were in danger of being dismissed after payment of a fine, expert opinion which had been sought on the pain and suffering of the cow led to the opening of an investigation into animal abuse.

ANIMALS' ANGELS asked the police in Liguria to inspect a truck with 23 horses being transported form Spain to Italy. Various violations were found and the animals were ordered to be unloaded. The police officers conducted a thorough inspection and are willing to undertake further inspections with ANIMALS' ANGELS in the future. 

Together with ANIMALS' ANGELS the Italian police inspected trucks arriving at a market for “dairy” cows. The police officers involved were very committed. The prospect of additional joint inspections was held out to us by the police.

The government of Asturias promises improvements and increased inspections at the horse and cattle markets in Corao
In response to a complaint by ANDA and Animals’ Angels concerning conditions at a large cattle and horse market in Asturias that were contrary to animal welfare, the government of Asturias wrote that they had:
- Ordered animal welfare inspections by the official veterinarians
- The market operator has been told to improve the facilities at the market.

Animal welfare information materials for market visitors
The Directors of the Spanish markets have requested more animal welfare information materials in order that they can be distributed to market users to remind them again of their requirements and obligations pursuant to the EU animal welfare laws. This project is being implemented by ANDA, RSPCA International, ASEMGA and ANIMALS' ANGELS.

Extensive improvements at the cattle market in Rates
ANIMALS' ANGELS accepted the Rates Market Director’s invitation to a personal meeting. The meeting was very positive and the Director assured ANIMALS' ANGELS that he will take the necessary action to improve the animal welfare situation at the market. He has already instituted the first steps:

• A highly motivated veterinarian has been hired to carry out animal welfare inspections at the market.
• Every transport has now to be unloaded individually, so that the veterinarian can inspect each individual animal.
• A new milking machine has been installed at the market.

The ANIMALS' ANGELS Team corrected the hooves of 22 horses and the claws on seven cows. Three horses received medication against worms and can now eat and digest properly again. Two horses had their wounds treated and disinfected.

Horse Slaughter Press Release: ANIMALS' ANGELS »compilation report horse slaughter and the press release “undercover investigations underscore USDA documented brutality” has created a significant increase in awareness about this important issue among the American public. Hundreds of outraged Americans have used the report to contact their representative to urge them for the passage of laws that would outlaw the export and the slaughter of American horses for human consumption.

The ANIMALS' ANGELS team accompanied a veterinarian expert in cattle welfare to various "dairy"cow facilities in order to extend and consolidate existing knowledge of problems concerning the handling, breeding and health of "dairy"cows. The information gathered ‘on the spot’ in regards to prevailing problem areas, grievances and abuses will enable ANIMALS' ANGELS to increasingly stand up for the rights of cows and fight for improvements.

The police in Crotone (southern Italy) inspected an elephant transport truck and imposed fines on the owner. The elephant belonged to a circus and the means of transport was completely unsuitable. ANIMALS' ANGELS and LAV had held a training course on the subject of animal transportation at the Crotone police station in April.

We received news that according to a newspaper announcement, a veterinarian who had been sentenced on the basis of charges filed by ANIMALS' ANGELS, had been transferred to another post. On 1st January 2009, he stopped working at the slaughterhouse where the Animals’ Angels team had observed the cruel treatment of animals.

Following several charges and complaints filed by ANDA and ANIMALS' ANGELS against transport companies using unsuitable transport vehicles for the transport of live animals, the government of the Spanish region of Castilla y Leon informed us in writing that the companies in question as well as their transport vehicles would in future be checked and fines imposed when necessary.

In November 2007, ANIMALS' ANGELS filed charges against the Portuguese authorities with the EU Commission, since Portugal had ignored serious animal welfare problems at the market in Rates in northern Portugal for years. ANIMALS' ANGELS finally received an answer from the EU Commission in July 2009, advising us that the Portuguese authorities had taken various measures in order to improve the animal welfare situation at the market. In addition to that, the EU Commission announced that the “Food and Veterinary Office” of the EU would inspect the market at the end of the year.

The ANIMALS' ANGELS team corrected the hooves of 39 horses and seven cows in July. We examined and treated the teeth of two horses, now enabling them to better chew and digest their food again. Ten sick horses were provided with medicine. Furthermore, the Animals’ Angels team renewed a halter at the market and exchanged a sharp-edged iron rod for a good snaffle-bit.

Edward Morris Award: The documentary “slaughtergate” has won the Edward Morris award for outstanding journalism. The piece gave an insight into the fate and the suffering of American horses destined for slaughter and reveals the cruelty involved in this predatory business. The film was put together with footage as well as information obtained under the Freedom of Information legislation by ANIMALS' ANGELS.

Following charges filed by ANIMALS' ANGELS against the operator and two employees of a collecting station near Berlin for cruelty during loading of a cow that was unfit for transport, the Public Prosecutor imposed on the operator a fine of Euro 1,000 and ordered that he send his employees on training courses.

After months of investigation, research, observation and carrying out controls at a collecting station in Brandenburg, ANIMALS' ANGELS has now been able to submit sufficient evidence to the MLUV in Potsdam proving that illegal practices were taking place when sending pigs to Russia. Health certificates that did not correspond to the animals’ health status were being falsely issued on a regular basis. As a result of obtaining these export documents for Russia, transports were re-routed, prolonged and delayed for hours. These dispatch practices have now been prohibited by government decree.

An article headed – “no pity for the dairy cows” about the role of the "dairy"cow in modern dairy farming appeared in the “Stuttgarter Nachrichten”. Detailed information is given on how the demand for dairy products is artificially created by the huge advertising and publicity machinery of the farming lobby and on how the cows that “produce” this milk are exploited until they finally end up at the slaughterhouse exhausted and emaciated at a very young age. ANIMALS' ANGELS provided the author with information about the subject and was interviewed for the article.

The police from Legnago, Italy, who were trained by ANIMALS' ANGELS, jointly inspected an animal transport truck in San Martino Buon Albergo (near Verona). They found cow Dory, which was lying on the floor in great pain and unable to get up on her own. According to animal transport regulations, so-called "downers" must not be transported. There was also calf Willy on the truck. His front leg joint was severely swollen and he could only walk on three legs. The police filed charges for cruelty to animals against the forwarder and the owner of the animals. In addition to that, a fine of Euro 6,200 was imposed. Dory and Willy were subsequently both put down.

The improvements at the market in Leon are continuing. When we inspected the market from the 23rd to 24th June 2009, we were pleased to note the following:

• The animals are no longer sent on long-distance transports
• Controls are carried out to ensure correct handling of the animals
• Loudspeakers announce that the animals must be watered and that the use of electric prods and driving aids is forbidden
• Veterinarians supervise the loading of the animals
• All the trucks are inspected in order to avoid overloading
• The pens are all lined with bedding
• The market director administers first aid to the animals wherever necessary.

Asturia
A Spanish TV broadcasting station reported in its evening news about our mission to the market in Corao. At the end of the report, a representative of the regional government of Asturia was interviewed: He said that the regional government awaited the report from ANDA and ANIMALS' ANGELS and that everything would be done to achieve improvements at the market as soon as possible.

The ANIMALS' ANGELS team corrected the hooves of 37 horses and six cows. We administered worm medicine to one horse and treated the wounds of another horse. In addition to that, the ANIMALS' ANGELS team exchanged a sharp-edged iron rod for a good bit.

ANIMALS' ANGELS investigators find a little puppy looked in a car in the summer heat in front of a livestock auction. The dog had been left in the car for hours and his owner was attending the sale. Temperatures exceeded 85 degrees Fahrenheit that day and the dog was suffering. The investigators called the police who then identified the owner and released the dog out of the car. Water was provided to him, which he drank immediately. The irresponsible owner was given a fine and a warning.

ANIMALS' ANGELS and Animal Law Coalition have filed a request with the Government Accountability Office to investigate the failure of the United States Department of Agriculture and, specifically, the Animal & Plant Health Inspection Service, to enforce the Commercial Transport of Equines to Slaughter Act, regulations found at 9 CFR 88.1-88.6. This is the first time that two animal welfare organizations request the inspection of a government agency. If the request is successful, it could have a tremendous effect on the future treatment of slaughter horses in the United States.

We received a letter dated 25th May 2009 from Productschappen Vee, Vlees en Eieren (PVE), informing ANIMALS' ANGELS about the conclusion of the investigations made into four consignments of “breeding” cattle destined for Russia. The ANIMALS' ANGELS team had accompanied the transport trucks from the Netherlands to Russia in February 2007, carrying out undercover observations. One of the results of the investigation was that export subsidies that had already been paid were claimed back.

ANIMALS' ANGELS participated in a meeting in Cremona regarding the transportation of downer animals (animals that are too sick or injured to get up on their own). The meeting was organised on the initiative of veterinarians. Representatives of various veterinary associations, farmers’ representatives as well as the Italian animal rights organisation LAV were present. There was agreement on the point that the animal transport regulations that strictly forbid the transport of downer animals must be fully complied with and that violations must be severely punished.

ANIMALS' ANGELS was informed about an illegal transport of animals in Spain, with horses and calves being transported on two levels. ANIMALS' ANGELS asked the local veterinary office in charge to inspect the transport truck on arrival. The veterinary officials promptly reacted and awaited the truck at the place of arrival. A fine was imposed on the carrier.

After years of dispute due to continuing animal welfare problems, the director of the market of Rates in northern Portugal has invited ANIMALS' ANGELS to a meeting aimed at discussing future “cooperation”.

The ANIMALS' ANGELS team corrected the hooves of 41 horses and seven cows. Two horses received worm treatment and another two horses were given dental care. Furthermore, the ANIMALS' ANGELS team exchanged two sharp-edged iron rods for good bits at the market.

ANIMALS' ANGELS observed that sheep loaded for export at the port of Freemantle, were now being handled far more carefully than had previously been the case.

Following an invitation from the national association of state-appointed veterinarians, ANIMALS' ANGELS attended the International Veterinary Congress in Bad Staffelstein and gave a presentation on “animal protection during slaughtering”. Our presentation stimulated lively discussion and debate among the audience of some 60 veterinarians; problems were discussed during a one-hour discussion group, experiences were exchanged and possible courses of action were considered to prevent the transportation of downer animals.

Over a period of seven days, ANIMALS' ANGELS together with the Italian animal welfare organisation LAV, held police training courses instructing the police officials on how to inspect animal transport trucks.

At the University of Cordoba, ANIMALS' ANGELS participated in a panel discussion on the subject of animal protection. ANIMALS' ANGELS received positive feedback from professors and students alike for their work in Spain.

When for the first time the ANIMALS' ANGLES team visited the four-year-old mare Brokula in Wielka Wies, she had no room to run around and was very nervous when we corrected her hooves. We then advised her owner to build an enclosure for the mare. When we returned to the farm on 21st April, we saw the mare with her little foal running around in an enclosure. We are very glad to see that our suggestions are increasingly accepted and put into practice by the horse owners.

In April, the ANIMALS' ANGLES team corrected the hooves of 39 horses and four cows. Eight horses were given worm medicine, one horse received dental care. In addition to that, the Animals’ Angels team exchanged two sharp-edged iron rods for good bits.

The ANIMALS' ANGELS team documented another incident involving a downer cow at the Escalon Auction in California. Similar to the case in August 2008, a cow was unloaded outside the auction and left lying there for more than six hours without receiving any water, food or veterinary care. ANIMALS' ANGELS met with the competent veterinarian and the Californian Farm Bureau to discuss this case. Since this meeting, weekly inspections have been carried out to ensure compliance with the laws.

The Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service following an urgent request made by Animals’ Angels, confirmed that dogs were not permitted in loading zones and loading areas, especially when sheep were involved.

Queensland: Following our recommendation, the improper use of the loading ramps as well as the inadequate handling of cattle at sale yards will again be discussed and investigated by the relevant authority.

The ANIMALS' ANGELS team accepted an invitation from the police in Itzehoe and held a training seminar on the subject of animal transport inspections. Fifty-seven officials from the police in Schleswig-Holstein and the BAG participated in the training.

The first inspection of an animal transport truck was undertaken by ANIMALS' ANGELS jointly with the Polish police and the veterinary authority. Two transport trucks loaded with calves from Lithuania and which had exceeded the legal ‘journey time’ before it should have stopped to provide food and water to the calves, was halted and the animals unloaded at a Polish control station. It was also found that the accompanying documents contained wrong details and the cattle passports were missing. The animals were provided with care, food and water. The veterinary authority filed charges against the carrier. The mission was accompanied and documented by a WDR camera team.

Police officers located in the region of Le Marche, one day after ANIMALS' ANGELS had held a police training course with them, inspected a truck loaded with cattle from France and imposed a fine.

In addition, the police of Perugia carried out an inspection of a transport truck. These officials had also previously been trained by ANIMALS' ANGELS. The transport truck was confiscated by the police because no transport licence was held. 

Police officers from the area of Verona and who had also attended a training course held by ANIMALS' ANGELS, inspected a transport truck loaded with Irish cattle on 26th March 2009. An on-the-spot fine of Euro 1,200 was imposed because no logbook was available and the driver was unable to present the carrier’s licence.

ANIMALS' ANGELS, in collaboration with the Italian animal welfare organisation LAV, held a further seven police training courses on the subject of animal transport inspections.

The ANIMALS' ANGELS team corrected the hooves of 38 horses and five cows. We gave worm medicine to seven horses and replaced the completely damaged halter of one of the horses with a well-preserved halter.

The ANIMALS' ANGELS report about the dog auction in Farmerstown, Ohio, caused a nationwide outcry. Since it was published, monthly demonstrations have taken place in front of the center for tourism in Holmes County and the number of dealers at the auction has been decreasing steadily. As a result, the manager of the dog auction agreed to a meeting with the district official.

ANIMALS' ANGELS convinced the regulators to send out a team to a saleyard in order to perform an inspection and to check on whether the animal welfare regulations were being complied with.

The police of Legnago, who had participated in a police training course held by ANIMALS' ANGELS in October, inspected a transport truck loaded with cattle. The inspection revealed serious violations of the Regulation on the protection of animals during transport; there were two injured and sick cattle on the transport truck as well as a downer animal that was unable to get up. The animals were taken to a nearby slaughterhouse where they were put down. The case was forwarded to the public prosecutor and charges for cruelty to animals were filed against the carrier and the owner of the animals. Fines were imposed totalling Euro 20,000.

ANIMALS' ANGELS was summoned to court as a witness in order to give evidence regarding the unloading of an unstunned bull at a slaughterhouse. The ‘downer bull’ had a broken hind leg and was pulled from the truck by means of a chain.

Following complaints filed by ANIMALS' ANGELS, no more authorisations for transports exceeding eight hours were granted at the horse market in León. The animals may only be sent on short-distance transport journeys from this market.

Based on the complaints lodged by ANIMALS' ANGELS, the Catalan authorities imposed strict conditions on the organiser of the horse market of Puigcerdá and demanded an ‘organisation plan’ that was also discussed with ANIMALS' ANGELS.

ANIMALS' ANGELS had two important meetings with the mayor of the city of Bodzentyn in February, with the aim of promoting significant changes and improvements for the animals at the cattle market.

The ANIMALS' ANGELS team treated the hooves of 47 horses, dewormed two horses and provided dental care to another two horses, thus enabling them to thoroughly chew and digest their food again.

During a mission in the year 2007, ANIMALS' ANGELS had found turkeys that were exposed without protection to freezing cold temperatures for hours before being unloaded at the Sara Lee Plant in Storm Lake, Iowa. ANIMALS' ANGELS filed a complaint with the Sara Lee management and asked for several improvements to be implemented. During our visit in February 2009, we were pleased to find that our requests had been put into practice. All the transport trucks that arrived used insulated protective panels and drove directly to the barns.

ANIMALS' ANGELS received a letter from the California Cattlemen’s Association, informing us that they would support us in filing charges against the Escalon Livestock Auction. ANIMALS' ANGELS had documented the suffering of a downer cow (i.e. a cow that is unable to walk) at this auction in August 2008 and submitted a file of evidence to the public prosecutors of San Joaquin County. This was the first time that a cattle breeding association took sides with an animal rights organisation.

Following charges filed by ANIMALS' ANGELS in November 2008 with the AID Zuid against Dutch transport company Keus & Mollink, further investigations were made into transports carried out by this company. Another five transport violations were discovered that may be considered as criminal offences. The files have now been handed over to the public prosecutor

Police officers from the station at Reggio Emilia and who had been trained by ANIMALS' ANGELS, inspected a French transport truck carrying sheep. The truck was overloaded with 250 animals, numerous lambs were undernourished and had infections of the mouth and injured limbs. The lambs were fed and watered after the inspection, reloaded onto two transport trucks and transported to their final place of destination. Fines of Euro 7,500 are expected to be imposed on the transport company and all further transports by this company will be stopped until receipt of payment.

ANIMALS' ANGELS and ANDA had filed a complaint with the supreme veterinary authority of the region of Castilla y Leon, because numerous illegal transports were dispatched from the big horse market in León in November 2008. The market director informed us that as a result, the veterinary authority had established a control plan for the next big horse market in February 2009 and that there were plans to stop long-distance transports leaving from the market.

Based on information provided by ANIMALS' ANGELS, the competent veterinarian in Bodzentyn filed charges against a dealer at the cattle market, who had brought a cow with a prolapsed uterus to the market.

The ANIMALS' ANGELS team treated the hooves of 51 horses and 11 cows in January.

The ANIMALS' ANGELS team managed to film at a puppy auction in Ohio. The film material was handed over to lawmakers and lawyers in Ohio, which again triggered discussions about a possible ban on these auctions in Ohio.

Leroy Baker’s objection to paying a fine of US Dollar 162,000 levied on him for violations of “animal safety regulations” (the federal government cited Baker for transporting horses that were injured or blind. Federal authorities also said Baker did nothing about horses that died during transport). The owner of the “Sugarcreek Livestock Auction” had tried to convince the court that the charges filed by animal rights activists were false. ANIMALS' ANGELS had been the main witness in the case. Fortunately, he did not succeed in convincing the judge. Baker has to pay the fine and if he fails to do so, his income and possessions may be confiscated.

Following the recommendations made by ANIMALS' ANGELS, the employees and workers of the Midland and Katanning saleyards participated in a training course on animal welfare.

ANIMALS' ANGELS received an offer to train animal welfare inspectors in cooperation with the DAFWA (Department of Agriculture and Food). This includes courses for all those who inspect animal transports and/or saleyards: ie RSPCA and AWU inspectors.

The Department of Primary Industries agreed to the suggestion made by ANIMALS' ANGELS to send an inspection team to two saleyards in Warwick and then prepare information material on the subject of animal protection for these markets.

The driver of a Dutch transport truck loaded with pigs was sentenced on the 3rd December to eight months imprisonment.  In 2005, 40 pigs and 27 piglets had died on a journey from Holland to Italy. In addition, the judge in Bozen accepted both ANIMALS' ANGELS and LAV as joint plaintiffs. This places ANIMALS' ANGELS in a position to file a claim for damages against the transport company.  The court’s ruling can now be used as a precedent for future charges.

Police officers from Reggio Emilia on the 27th December, who had been trained by ANIMALS' ANGELS in the previous month, inspected a Greek transport truck laden with sheep. The truck was overloaded with 47 sheep, two of them were dead and five suffered from fractures to their legs and skulls. The police officers had taken notice of this truck because blood was dripping from it. They ordered emergency unloading at the control station near Piacenza. A fine of Euro 9,000 was imposed, charges were filed and the transport truck was confiscated.

We discovered the horse Esteban at a dealer in Ceuta. Esteban was in a very bad condition: the hooves were in an unnatural position, he could hardly walk, was emaciated and had swellings on the neck and breast. ANIMALS' ANGELS and ANDA notified the official veterinarian in Ceuta who inspected the dealer’s premises and released Esteban from his suffering.

The ANIMALS' ANGELS team was in Sieradowice in order to treat the hooves of horses. As the animals had never been allowed to leave the stables, the hoof correction was only possible under difficult conditions. After treating two animals we had to stop our work and asked the owner to give the animals the opportunity to run around outside every day, because otherwise we would not come back. Two days later we again made an unannounced visit to the farm with our veterinarian and were very glad to see all the animals running around free.

ANIMALS' ANGELS carried out inspections during the Muslim Festival of Sacrifice (Kurban- Bayrami) in Istanbul. The Turkish media (TV and print media) showed great interest in our visit and reported with concern about the animals.

At a specialist seminar for the official veterinarians in North Rhine-Westphalia, ANIMALS' ANGELS gave a presentation on its experiences encountered in relation to current Transport Regulation 1/05.  In addition, together with the veterinary authority of Kiel, carried out a training course for the Water Police in Kiel.

An agreement of cooperation was concluded with the Spanish Halal Institute and the Spanish animal welfare organisation ANDA, aimed at improving the animal welfare situation in the Spanish enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla, in particular with regard to the ritual slaughtering of animals at the Muslim Feast of Sacrifice.

Further improvements have taken place at the equine animal market in León, such as straw bedding for the horses, distribution of buckets to provide water for the animals and the sale of hay. The market personnel supervising the market have been increased and controls by the local police have been enhanced.

At a cattle market, the ANIMALS' ANGELS team found three downer cows on a truck. The police were called and arrived quickly and succeeded in stopping the truck in order to arrange for the unloading of the three cows.

Representatives of the Department of Agriculture visited the ANIMALS' ANGELS offices. They received documents, photos and videos from us that clearly proved that Baker had committed several offences against various animal welfare laws. Leroy Baker is the operator of the “Sugarcreek Livestock Auction”, one of the biggest “slaughter” horse markets in the United States. Fines imposed for such offences may amount to more than 200,000 dollars. During the visit, ANIMALS' ANGELS' statement was taken down. ANIMALS' ANGELS is the main witness in the case against Leroy Baker.

ANIMALS' ANGELS received a reply to a “Freedom of Information Act Request”. On more than 900 pages, serious violations of the current transport regulations were listed and extreme cruelties to “slaughter” horses on their way to the slaughterhouse in Fort Worth, Texas were documented.

The FOIA document proves the inhumane treatment of horses within the United States of America and therefore is an important means for enforcing a general ban on slaughter and export.

Complaints filed by ANIMALS' ANGELS with the Transport Ministry regarding the exceeding of the maximum permissible transport time as well as the missing logbook of the drivers were successful, thus making sure that the truck fleet operated by Dennis Chaves (Los Lunas, NM) was taken off the road. An inspection carried out at the Chavez transport company revealed many serious offences that Chavez’ licence was withdrawn with immediate effect. Dennis Chavez had transported thousands of “slaughter” horses from New Mexico to the Mexican border every year.

ANIMALS' ANGELS and the Italian animal welfare organisation LAV organised eight training courses for the Italian police in five different cities (Venice, Verona, Messina, Palermo and Catania). Approximately 250 police officers were informed about the rules and regulations on the protection of animals during transport, as well as about the respective Italian system of sanctions and the relevant penal legislation.

The second edition (25,000 copies) of our manual dealing with inspections of animal transport trucks was published in Italy. The manual was written in cooperation with the Ministry of the Interior (police), the Ministry of Health (veterinarians), the LAV and the FNOVI (Italian association of veterinarians) and is destined both for the Italian police and for the veterinarians.

A five-day training course on animal welfare was held for veterinary officials and slaughterhouse employees in Galicia. The course used lecturers from the University of Bristol and was financed by the RSPCA International. This initiative was held against the background of appalling conditions found in Galician slaughterhouses by ANIMALS' ANGELS in 2006 and 2007. The 23 veterinary officials who attended the course gave a very positive feedback and we can assume that the course is an important step towards improving the situation for the animals in Galician slaughterhouses.

The market director of Torrelavega, provided ANIMALS' ANGELS and ANDA with the plans for the rebuilding of the market, which is aimed at improving the handling of the animals. According to the director, the financing of the rebuilding work was only able to be pushed through as a result of the harsh criticism expressed by ANIMALS' ANGLES and ANDA regarding the animal welfare situation at the market.

Following the invitation of the Police College, ANIMALS' ANGELS gave a presentation in Hamburg. The subject of the presentation was “the role of the police in the field of animal welfare and protection”. ANIMALS' ANGELS particularly stressed the ethical obligation of the police to be a friend and helping hand not only for humans but also for the animals. When carrying out inspections of animal transport trucks, cooperation with the police was an essential part of the work and success of ANIMALS' ANGELS.

Based on the reports submitted by ANIMALS' ANGELS, an inspection was carried out by the EU Food and Veterinary Office (FVO) at the market in Bodzentyn.

The Australian Livestock Producers Association has agreed to immediately work together with ANIMALS' ANGELS in order to achieve improvements for “farm” animals.

Upon the urgent request of ANIMALS' ANGELS, big cages with water containers were installed in the “poultry area” at the Warwick Market in Queensland. In addition to that, large pieces of cloth were put up, providing shade for the animals. Furthermore, the market with immediate effect will be controlled on a regular basis and special emphasis will be placed on ensuring compliance with the laws.

ANIMALS' ANGELS, together with the water police and the veterinary authority of Kiel, inspected two transport trucks loaded with calves from Latvia in the port of Kiel. The veterinary official ordered the unloading of the calves at a supply station and a 12-hour rest; fines were imposed on the transport company and ANIMALS' ANGELS filed charges against one of the two Dutch companies.

Following charges filed by ANIMALS' ANGELS against a transport company in June 2008, on the 19th September the regional government of Asturia issued a caution against the transport company. At temperatures of over 30 °C, the carrier had transported a horse for several hours in an open vehicle without a roof.

Charges filed by ANIMALS' ANGELS led to a Compliance Review carried out by the Transport Department at the Leroy Baker transport company. The official investigation confirmed the contents of our charges; five serious violations of the transport regulations were found. Result: The Baker transport company, with immediate effect, will be subjected to unannounced monthly inspections and, in addition to that, was given a “critical” security rating (which is the “calling card” of every forwarding agent).

ANIMALS' ANGELS was a witness in court to give evidence in the very first court case dealing with the prosecution of animal abuse in Western Australia. A truck driver was charged with brutally knocking over three sheep, dragging a sheep by its leg and using an electric prod on the head of another sheep. A fine of Aus $ 2,500 plus court costs was imposed on the driver and he was forbidden to have any contact with sheep and cattle for one year. In addition, the court rejected his request to have the proceedings closed to the public.

As a result of countless inspections and complaints filed by ANIMALS' ANGELS and following the imposition of various fines and compulsory unloading measures taken by the Italian police, the Mazas transport company has finally stopped its transports on the Spain/Italy route.

Complaints filed by ANIMALS' ANGELS with the USDA finally produced results. Pressed by Washington, the Texas Department of Agriculture covered all the Al Paso Export pens with canvas roofing, installed two additional water troughs and placed hay feeding rings in all three pens. Prior to this, the horses frequently had to do without food and water for more than 24 hours, while waiting to be loaded onto the trucks destined for Mexican slaughterhouses.