Animal rights body PETA today claimed equines in India are being subjected to widespread abuse and neglect and are being used as "living factories" to produce antitoxins and antivenins.
They attributed their claim to a "series of inspections" demanded shutting down of such "equine-abusing" facilities.
The inspections authorised by the Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) was conducted by veterinarians and experts from prominent veterinary colleges and NGOs including People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India.
PETA has urged the Environment Ministry to immediately act to shut down these "cruel" facilities and ensure the equines they have exploited receive the veterinary and rehabilitative care.
"In facilities across India, frightened, lame, and malnourished equines are left to suffer without proper veterinary care while being used as living blood bags for antitoxin and antivenin producers.
"PETA is calling on the government to shut down these abusive, miserable factories and encourage modern, animal-free ways of manufacturing these products," said PETA India CEO Poorva Joshipura.
At most of the inspected facilities, bleeding records indicate that many animals are bled several times a month and have more blood drawn than is permissible according to the CPCSEA guidelines.
Their blood is then used to make antitoxins and antivenins that are exported worldwide, it said.
PETA said while staff at these facilities lacked knowledge of proper animal care and management techniques and were ignorant of pain-management procedures.
"Equines were also forced to stand in their own excreta in crowded, dirty and waterlogged sheds. Seriously ill animals were housed together with healthy ones, placing the latter at risk of contracting infectious diseases such as glanders, equine influenza, and equine herpes virus," PETA said.
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