Donkey Welfare at Slaughter in Ghana
Author Information
Author(s): Fletcher Katharine, Limon Georgina, Agongo Eric, Akunzule Anthony, Essel Gloria, Padalino Barbara, Grist Andrew, Gibson Troy John
Primary Institution: Royal Veterinary College
Hypothesis
What factors affect donkey welfare during slaughter in Ghana?
Conclusion
Donkeys in Ghana experience significant welfare issues during slaughter due to poor handling and ineffective slaughter methods.
Supporting Evidence
- Donkeys were hit multiple times during handling and movement.
- Animals killed through neck cutting without pre-stunning showed signs of consciousness for a mean time of 96.5 seconds.
- Blunt force trauma with a wooden pole was five times more likely to be ineffective compared to a metal hammer.
- Prolonged time to loss of consciousness was observed in donkeys slaughtered without stunning.
- 66% of donkeys showed lesions, scars, or swellings.
- 38% of donkeys were underweight, with a body condition score of ≤1.5.
Takeaway
This study looked at how donkeys are treated before and during slaughter in Ghana, finding that they often suffer because of rough handling and bad methods of killing.
Methodology
The study assessed donkey welfare using animal-based indicators at five slaughter points in Ghana, focusing on human-animal interactions and different slaughter methods.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to the subjective nature of some observations and the limited training of slaughter personnel.
Limitations
The study was limited by the sample size from each location and logistical challenges in data collection.
Participant Demographics
The study involved slaughter personnel with an average of 14 years of experience, many having worked in the role since childhood.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Confidence Interval
1.9–15.4
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website