ANIMAL WELFARE AND CRUELTY RELATED ISSUES ON SHEEP AT THE ABATTOIRS, ANIMALS FARMS AND LIVESTOCK MARKETS IN BAUCHI METROPOLIS, BAUCHI STATE

Abstract

Thee Research was conducted to determine the "Animal welfare and cruelty related issues in sheep observed in abattoirs, animals farms and livestock markets in Bauchi metropolis, Bauchi State, Nigeria. Data were collected bbetween April to July 2022. Male farmers were more engaged (69%) in sheep rearing than female31%. Car was the most used (39%) means of transportation while the other means of animals transportation apart from use of trucks/motorcycle were found to be the lowest (3%) for the condition animals that reach the farms 60(60%) of sheep arrived to slaughter house, livestock farm and markets in healthy condition while 40(40%) arrived unhealthy. Out of one hundred animals observed in the study, 32(32%) enter vehicles by beating, 21(21) by loading devices, 38 (38) with gradual manipulations but only 5 (5) by beating and gradual manipulations while 4(4%) through other means into vehicles. It was also observed that 79(79%) of farms that keep sheep dewormed their animals while 21(21%) does not dewormed the animals. It was therefore concluded that the cases of animals cruelty cannot be over looked as it has proven to several implications to animal health and
production as well as humanity in general.