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Animals : an open access journal from MDPI2024; 14(24); 3673; doi: 10.3390/ani14243673

Assessment of Donkey (Equus asinus) Welfare at Slaughter in Ghana.

Abstract: Donkey slaughter in West Africa has received limited scientific attention, despite increasing over recent years. This study aimed to explore factors affecting donkey welfare, both ante-mortem and at slaughter, in the Upper East region of Ghana. A total of 134 donkeys at five different slaughter points were assessed using animal-based indicators. Slaughter involved either blunt force trauma (BFT) using a wooden pole (1 location) or a metal hammer (2 locations); or non-stun ventral neck incision (VNI) (2 locations). Time to loss of consciousness (or return) was assessed, with behavioural and brainstem signs of sensibility/consciousness. Negative human-animal interactions occurred ante-mortem, with animals struck multiple times and handled using aversive methods. Donkeys hit on the head with the wooden pole were five times more likely to be ineffectively concussed ( < 0.001, OR: 5.4, CI: 1.9-15.4) compared to the hammer and took significantly longer to lose consciousness ( < 0.001). The mean time to loss of corneal reflex for those hit by wooden pole was 166.9 s (SD 21.1; range: 79-425 s), compared to just one animal displaying corneal reflex for 59 s after being hit by metal hammer. For those animals slaughtered through VNI, corneal reflex was observed for a mean time of 96.5 s (SD 4.3, range 26-164 s). The findings of this study highlight major concerns regarding the methods used for donkey slaughter in the Upper East region in Ghana, particularly regarding aversive ante-mortem handling and prolonged time to loss of consciousness during VNI and ineffective BFT in inducing unconsciousness by concussion.
Publication Date: 2024-12-19 PubMed ID: 39765577PubMed Central: PMC11672695DOI: 10.3390/ani14243673Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

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This research article investigates the conditions of donkey slaughter in the Upper East region of Ghana, focusing on the factors affecting the welfare of animals both prior to and during slaughter. The study’s key findings indicate severe welfare concerns, notably regarding brutal handling practices and the extended duration for loss of consciousness during certain slaughter methods.

Research Context and Approach

  • The study underscored the issue of donkey slaughter, which has not been scientifically scrutinized enough in West Africa despite its growing prevalence. The researchers aimed to shed light on factors impacting donkey welfare in the Upper East region of Ghana.
  • A total of 134 donkeys were observed at five different slaughter points. All observations were recorded using animal-based indicators, ensuring a focus on the animals’ welfare.

Slaughter Procedures

  • The slaughters involved either blunt force trauma (BFT), achieved using a wooden pole or a metal hammer, or non-stun ventral neck incision (VNI). The time taken for the animal to lose consciousness, as well as behavioral and brainstem indications of sensibility/consciousness, was noted and analyzed.

Findings: Ante-mortem Donkey Welfare

  • Negative human-animal interactions were observed prior to the slaughter. Animals were struck multiple times and handled using brutal methods that contributed to them experiencing fear and unnecessary stress.

Findings: Slaughter Conditions

  • Donkeys slaughtered with the wooden pole were discovered to be five times more likely than those hit with a hammer to be ineffectively stunned and took significantly longer to lose consciousness.
  • The average time to loss of corneal reflex for those slaughtered by a wooden pole was approximately 167 seconds. In contrast, just one animal displayed corneal reflex for about 59 seconds when slaughtered with a metal hammer.
  • In cases where VNI was used, the animals displayed corneal reflex for an average of 96.5 seconds, implying a prolonged period of consciousness and probable suffering during the procedure.

Conclusion and Implications

  • The report’s findings emphasize significant concerns about the methods utilized for donkey slaughter in Ghana’s Upper East region, especially in relation to brutal handling prior to slaughter and extended periods before loss of consciousness during the act of slaughtering.
  • The research suggests a necessity for more humane slaughter methods and improved treatment of the donkeys in the periods leading up to their slaughter.

Cite This Article

APA
Fletcher K, Limon G, Agongo E, Akunzule A, Essel G, Padalino B, Grist A, Gibson TJ. (2024). Assessment of Donkey (Equus asinus) Welfare at Slaughter in Ghana. Animals (Basel), 14(24), 3673. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14243673

Publication

ISSN: 2076-2615
NlmUniqueID: 101635614
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 14
Issue: 24
PII: 3673

Researcher Affiliations

Fletcher, Katharine
  • Animal Welfare Science and Ethics Group, Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, Hatfield AL9 7TA, UK.
Limon, Georgina
  • Veterinary Epidemiology, Economics and Public Health Group, Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, Hatfield AL9 7TA, UK.
  • The Pirbright Institute, Woking GU24 0NF, UK.
Agongo, Eric
  • Ghana Poultry Network (GAPNET)/Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), Accra P.O. Box CT 5505, Ghana.
Akunzule, Anthony
  • Ghana Poultry Network (GAPNET)/Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), Accra P.O. Box CT 5505, Ghana.
Essel, Gloria
  • Ghana Poultry Network (GAPNET)/Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), Accra P.O. Box CT 5505, Ghana.
Padalino, Barbara
  • Department of Agricultural and Food Sciences, University of Bologna, Viale Giuseppe Fanin 46, 40127 Bologna, Italy.
  • Faculty of Science and Engineering, Southern Cross University, Lismore, NSW 2480, Australia.
Grist, Andrew
  • Animal Welfare and Behaviour Group, School of Veterinary Sciences, University of Bristol, Langford BS40 5DU, UK.
Gibson, Troy John
  • Animal Welfare Science and Ethics Group, Department of Pathobiology and Population Sciences, Royal Veterinary College, Hawkshead Lane, Hatfield AL9 7TA, UK.

Grant Funding

  • NA / World Horse Welfare

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest. The funders had no role in the design of the study; in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript; or in the decision to publish the results.

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