Andhra Pradesh: Police Seize Over 400 Kg Donkey Meat In Baptla

PETA India calls on everyone to report illegal donkey slaughter to authorities and to extend compassion to all animals by eating vegan.

Police Seized Over 400 Kg Donkey Meat In Baptla ( Image Source :Special arrangement )

Following a complaint from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India, the Bapatla police conducted four raids in the Bapatla district with the assistance of local activists from Andhra Pradesh and PETA India, seizing more than 400 kg of donkey meat.

Gopal Surabathula of Animal Rescue Organisation, Tejovanth Anupoju of Help for Animals Society, and Vijay Kishore Palika of East Godavari SPCA were part of the raids.

The police conducted raids at two places in Uzilipet, one in Vetapalem, and one that was under the jurisdiction of the 2 Town police station. Donkey meat and leftover body parts, such as heads, legs, and flesh attached to tails, were taken by the police.

FIR has been registered by 1 Town police station, 2 Town police station, and Vetapalem police station under various provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), 1860; the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, 1960; and the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006. 

All persons involved in the illegal trade and slaughter have been arrested.

“Donkeys are sensitive animals who form deep bonds with their families and friends and communicate with each other through a variety of sounds. Yet in Andhra Pradesh, these animals are being hacked up for meat,” says PETA India Manager of Cruelty Response Projects Meet Ashar.

PETA India calls on everyone to report illegal donkey slaughter to authorities and to extend compassion to all animals by consuming vegan diet.

In India, killing donkeys and eating donkey meat violates several laws. Donkey slaughter violates Section 429 of the IPC, 1860, and is punishable with a jail term of up to five years, a fine, or both. Killing donkeys is also an offence under Section 11(1)(a) and (l) of the PCA Act, 1960. Consumption of donkey meat is illegal under the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, and slaughtering animals in public places is banned under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Slaughter House) Rules, 2001.

In seven years, India’s donkey population has declined by 61 per cent.