Kortenberg (Brussels Morning Newspaper) -In an incident, 75 birds were removed from a bust home in Kortenberg yesterday by the Flemish Association of the Inspection Services for Animal Welfare. Some of the seized birds were ornament pigeons, approximately 20 aviary birds, one cock and one hen, which were found in very pathetic stinking crates.
To date, the animals have been relocated to the Bird and Mammal Shelter situated in Heusden-Zolder to get the necessary attention that has been overlooked. The case raises questions about the ethical treatment of animals and their proper care by the owners.
Flemish Animal Welfare Inspection Service has recently released 75 birds, ornamental pigeons, and a rooster, which were kept in poor conditions in Kortenberg. They are either taken to a shelter for more chances at the healing process or adoption. The chief executive of the Bird and Mammal Shelter, Rudi Oyen, described the conditions in which the birds were kept as dreadful. “The animals were not cared for properly,” he stated. They were confined in cages with faeces, hungry, and deprived of fresh and clean water—two basic needs of any living being. Most of the birds were extremely emaciated, most of them showing ridges of spines on their chest, which is a clear sign of starvation and their wings were coated with faeces and mud. Altogether, many ornamental and aviary birds’ exteriors had overgrown nails, indicating their poor living conditions. It is now the time for the staff of the shelter to regard these animals and check for any health concerns.
Animal welfare concerns in Flanders
The confiscation of these 75 birds is only the tip of the iceberg as regards animal mistreatment in Flanders. The Flemish Animal Welfare Inspection Service has become more and more active in controlling private individuals who detain animals under poor circumstances. After this, the birds will be kept at the shelter for an additional two months while authorities decide their fate. These birds will most probably not be taken back to the previous owners because of the nasty conditions observed during the inspection.
Animal lovers underscore the need for pet ownership and encourage any individual intending to have a pet to understand that he/she has certain duties to the animal. Charitable societies such as the Bird and Mammal Shelter, for example, capture abandoned animals and take long periods to put them up for adoption so that they may be well taken care of. As many more similar cases have come to light in Flanders, there are demands for tighter rules and control measures against cruelty to animals that are most often neglected or abused.
While authorities have not yet concluded their investigation on this case, we can remain aware that pets should be cared for, constantly monitored, and provided with a proper environment. Among these 75 birds, far more hardships are the problems in understanding how communities should take care of animals, which shows the ongoing process of organisations that work on the rescue of neglected animals.
