Unethical evidence against cattle dignity during loading, transportation and off-loading by livestock marketers in Ibadan metropolis, Nigeria

Abstract

Some activities that showed unethical practices against cattle during loading, transportation and off-loading were considered in this paper. Three major cattle market centres (Akinyele, Bodija and Oranyan) in Ibadan metropolis were used. Eighty (80) structured questionnaires were randomly administered to the cattle] handlers to collect] data on systems of loading, transportation and off-loading of the animals. Visual] observations, head counting and image capturing of the animals on board were made. Cattle were transported by road (100%) using different kinds of vehicle including open] roofed trailer, truck, saloon cars and buses with different capacities. Cattle were] arranged to stand for days under sun and rain until the final destination. Over 94% of] respondents transported their animals in 1-3 days. Also, 60% parked breeds, different] sizes, horned and polled cattle together in the same truck during transportation. 3.75%,] 5%, 7.5% and 83.75% of handlers respectively transported their cattle in the morning,] afternoon evening and at any time of the day. Cattle were loaded and off-loaded by] dragging, pulling and pushing. It is concluded that there were no standard systems no transportation, loading and off-loading of cattle as animals were exposed to inclement weather and hardship.