Jones Phiri, makes an
honest living selling chickens near area 18 Dip Tank , his usual spot is right
beneath a large mango tree which helps him escape the scorching sun.
Located a few feet from his
position is a parked bicycle which is leaning against the tree; on top of the
bicycle carrier is a carefully place cage that is housing two local chickens.
A small scale business man,
Mr. Phiri patiently waits there, all day if he has to, for a buyer.
Next to his bicycle are a
bunch of leaves which according to Phiri are used to provide shade for the
chickens during transportation. A look into cage reveals a plate of feed and
some water for the chickens.
"In order to attract
the best clients in need to keep my chickens in good shape that’s why I make
sure that they have adequate food and water and are kept out of the sun",
explained Phiri.
Unfortunately, very few
people in the country feel the same compassion for animals as Phiri does. These
days it is a common sight in towns and surrounding locations to see chickens
carried in large numbers with their legs bound together on a bicycle frame or
handle-bar with their heads down, these chickens are carried
this way for a long distance.
Transporting Chickens in
this manner has become the most common form of animal cruelty practiced in our society today; unfortunately such acts have become the norm and many people
seem not to care about the animal’s suffering.
Lonjezo Jackson, another
chicken seller, says he opts to transport his chickens on handle bars because
this enables him to carry as many chickens as possible.
“I am a poor man and I need
to make money for my family, if I use the cages I will make less money.
“Does it really matter if
they suffer, they will be slaughtered anyway…….besides they are only Chickens”,
said Jackson.
What many people like Mr. Jackson
fail to realize is that animals need as much care and love as we do; for
example, if chickens are kept and confined in stressful condition or are not
provided with adequate medical services, they will not grow healthy hence will
not produce good eggs or meat production, this eventually affects the seller’s
income.
But most importantly,
treating them in this way is a direct violation of the Animal Protection Act;
Cap 66: 01 of the Malawian Constitution which condemns any form of cruelty
towards animals.
Realizing that most people
are not aware of this act LSPCA conducts education seminars with various
stakeholders and tries to sensitize them on the Animal Protection Act.
LSPCA also runs Humane
Education Lessons in schools and communities as well as educate animal
transporters like Jackson on the proper transportation methods and at the same
time tries to instil a sense of compassion towards animal’s welfare.
In order to aid in LSPCA's mission Mr. Phiri has vowed to teach his fellow chicken seller on how they can
also properly take care of their chickens.
