Veterinärmedizinische Wissenschaft und Technologie

The General Status of Animal Welfare in Developing Countries: The Case of Ethiopia

Abstract

Getahun Asebe, Bizelew Gelayenew and Ashwani Kumar, Getahun Asebe

It is true most proportions of Africans livestock owners do not realize as animals are sensitive to beatings and mistreatment. As any African countries, Ethiopia has not formulated regular ways of awareness creation to the public and is not endorsed to the community what the minimal animal welfare standards to be esteemed. The issues of animal welfare in Ethiopia go to King Minilk II, yet the country lack practicing and enforcing the laws until present time. Despite the fact huge number of livestock present in the country, welfare not well kept, hence poor productivity and production is a common feature of the sector. Respecting the five freedoms of animals at least can help to secure the minimum standards of respecting animals’ right. Freedom from hunger and thirst, discomfort, pain, injury, disease, fear, distress and freedom to express normal behavior are the known five rights. The marketing places, during transporting, farming places, slaughtering houses, feeding areas, sheltering areas and watering places are the commonest areas where welfare deprived. Except equines and homeless dogs, no document was found on organizations working in most ruminants, camels, and poultry at all. Most of the present works indicated, as there are wide violations of the animal right developing world including Ethiopia. Developing nations like Ethiopia need to develop systems to inspect animal facilities and review research practices to ensure that animal welfare issues well addressed in all institutions and facilities dealing with animals remain basic concern. Frequent updating the current public thoughts, believes about the importance of practicing good animal welfare management and applying legislative actions will be important in animal production systems especially in developing countries like that of Ethiopia, where the poor animal welfare is enormous.