The public prosecutor’s office has launched an investigation into a dierenhandelaar in Lochristi, which, incidentally, is a member of an organization that works for animal welfare. By the grower were 23 neglected animals seized. Gaia should make a complaint.
On February 15, police raided at Droopy in Lochristi. Twelve dogs, three Bengal cats, seven turtles and a macaw were seized. Several animals looked neglected. Of an English bulldog of 10 months, it was back completely paralyzed. “The animal has wounds because her legs are dragged over the bottom. We let her for a wheelchair to measure,” said the non profit Animal Trust in Melle, that the situation brought out. There was also a chihuahua in the vzw inside with a huge tumor, that after examination at the vet’s a part of her intestines. The animal must still be operated. There were also two staffordpups with swollen bellies chock-full of worms. With two yorkshires of almost 10 years were the hairs of the legs, full of tangles. All animals were transferred to different shelters.
eastern Bloc
According to the owner of the thing, Danny Van Puyenbroeck (59), it is true there is little of the allegations. “The bulldog has problems with his hip,” he says. “Our vet wanted him the week before the invasion to sleep. I decided to give him further treatment. We know our animals better than those shelters. We deworm all dogs every Monday, and worms… Which are still not lethal?” About the term ‘broodfokker’ he is clear, however: “Yes, I am a broodfokker, there is nothing wrong with that. I do this to my ‘bread’ to earn. Sometimes I get indeed my animals from the eastern Bloc, but I do it in moderation. There are a lot of negative connotations around. The world of the pet shop is completely changed.” Van Puyenbroeck, 30 years in the sector. “It used to be a dog like a rabbit. You put him in a box without a peephole. Now you need him in a manner of speaking, sell in a bassinet. A dog today is like a baby.” About the raid and the indictment of the non-profit he thinks his. “It’s a thoughtful action, because they are so more donations will get. I already have so many controls, and each time without any problems.” When the dierenhandelaar us around in his kennel, is that there clean. Twenty pens are there, which is half filled with dogs. Something sitting in two cages, six cats. It smells like paint and the floor is sticky a little. “The floor is just painted.”
Under supervision
Droopy now has guidelines received from the Inspection of animal Welfare, which after several complaints action made with the police. “The animals are checked by a veterinarian and measures should be taken to enhance well being,” says Brigitte Borgmans. That Van Puyenbroeck also member of the board at Ani-zoo, the professional association of professional breeders that are working for animal welfare, is a painful thing. “We are, of course, regrettable,” said Paul De Cooman of Ani-zoo. “But we wait for the investigation before we make a decision.”
Michel Vandenbosch of Gaia decided already to take action. “We are convinced that there is reason enough to criminal proceedings to start. We are going to file a complaint, we have the interests of the animals to protect. I can only hope that the courts the matter seriously.”