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The Ethiopian economy is one of the poorest in the world. Over 90% of the population are subsistence farmers who depend on their animals. They use oxen or horses to plough; donkeys carry crops, water and firewood; mules and horses are ridden; cattle, sheep and goats provide meat and skins; hens supply eggs and meat; dogs guard homes and cats catch mice. All too often these animals suffer as a result of their owners’ poverty. Most Ethiopians struggle to feed and provide medical care for their families, so paying for veterinary treatment for their sick animals is difficult. Ignorance and carelessness also play their part. A superstitious farmer may believe an infected spinal wound under his mule’s poorly-fitting saddle to be a manifestation of his neighbour’s dislike of him and he takes no action to help the animal. Government vets will clean such wounds free of charge, yet few animals are taken to them for treatment of that nature. In Ethiopia’s towns and cities, equines pull carts and gharries. The harnesses are usually made from recycled materials and rarely fit correctly, so the animals end up with painful wounds. Shoes are often made from rubber.
All working animals in Ethiopia suffer from a burden of worms that reduces their effectiveness and their life expectancy. The recommended maximum weight that a donkey should carry is 50 kg, yet many are expected to carry loads of up to 100 kg. The average life expectancy of an Ethiopian donkey is only 9 years whereas a donkey in England may live to be 27 or more. Eye infections spread by flies can lead to blindness if neglected. Such infections could often be cured easily with cheap eye ointments that are widely available.
In December 2000 Ethiopian Herald reported on the plans to poison over 170,000 street dogs in Addis Ababa over a period of five years, to reduce their numbers. It was estimated that more than 300,000 dogs were running loose in the capital city, posing a health threat because of the risk of rabies.
Ethiopian live animal transport is not humane. Sheep, goats or hens are trussed and thrown into a car boot, or on to a bus roof-rack to spend hours there under the tropical sun before the vehicle reaches its destination. Hens are routinely held by their legs, hanging upside-down, as they are taken to or from market. Wild animals are kept as entertainment attractions, spending their lives in cages. Baby monkeys and baboons are taken from the wild and offered for sale as pets.
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Challoner's, Fasiledes, Amersham, Buckinghamshire