Breaking News: Wild Slaughter of Sheep During Eid-el-Kébir in Rhône, France
June 6, 2023
Eid-el-Kébir Celebrations Turn Sour as Wild Slaughter Incidents Emerge
Eid-el-Kébir, a significant festival celebrated by the Muslim community from June 6 to 9, is traditionally marked by the sharing of sheep meat. However, this year’s celebrations in the Rhône department of France have been marred by incidents of wild slaughter, despite regulatory measures aimed at preventing such practices.
Two approved slaughterhouses, one of which was operational by mid-May, were set up to ensure animals were sacrificed according to Islamic ritual requirements. These included authorizing a painless death under the supervision of the prefecture. Nevertheless, several incidents of wild slaughter have been reported.
According to our sources, over 60 sheep have been rescued since Thursday, with the most significant incident occurring on Friday evening in Grigny-sur-Rhône. Nineteen living animals were taken care of by a partner association of the SPA (Société Protectrice des Animaux).
Police Intervention and Legal Consequences
In a related development, a man in his fifties was arrested around 8 p.m. on Friday by a national police unit while slaughtering sheep on his private land in Rue Francis-de-Pressensé. Three carcasses were discovered, and others may have been distributed before officials arrived. The suspect was detained for cruelty to animals resulting in death, an offense punishable by up to five years in prison and a €75,000 fine.
The Role of Animal Protection Associations
The Society for the Protection of Animals in Lyon (SPA) has been actively involved in rescuing sheep during these incidents. In previous Eid-el-Kébir festivals, the Lyon SPA has rescued over 400 sheep in just two days. The association systematically responds to such incidents, recovers the sheep, and acts as a civil party in the subsequent trials.
Regulatory Measures and Health Risks
The prefecture has emphasized that the use of slaughterhouses is mandatory, with violations punishable by up to six months in prison and a €15,000 fine. Irregular conditions for the detention or transport of animals can result in fines of €750. The prefecture has also warned about the risk of introducing serious and highly contagious animal diseases (such as foot-and-mouth disease, small ruminant plague, and African swine fever) from European, Turkish, and African territories.
Police Action and Public Vigilance
The police department has launched a special operation to curb wild slaughter during Eid-el-Kébir. Officers are patrolling sites known for these offenses in the past, ensuring compliance with regulations and public safety.
As the celebrations continue, authorities and animal protection associations are urging the public to remain vigilant and adhere to the prescribed regulations to ensure the welfare of animals and public health.
