The animal-lovers of Mauritius seek your help in putting an end to the continued abuse of animals by The Mauritian Society for Animal Welfare, and to appeal for reform to The Animal Welfare Act (2013).

“MSAW has sadly become a slaughterhouse run by monsters, a concentration camp for both cats and dogs.” [Shakeel Mohammed, lawyer, December 2020]

“A figure on the annual funding of MSAW? It is also often pointed out that there is interference or even a waste of funds within the organisation?” [Question by L’Express newspaper to Didier Pursun, newly appointed President of

“I won’t say ANYTHING about funding.” [Answer by Didier Pursun, President of MSAW]

This pack is being sent to International media outlets and International Animal Welfare bodies. We request that you intervene to highlight the rapidly worsening atrocities happening here in Mauritius, and do all possible to encourage our Prime Minister, Pravind Jugnauth, and the Minister in charge of Animal Welfare, Maneesh Gobin, to bring forth immediate and remedial reform to our Animal Welfare Act (2013); which is totally unfit for purpose.

The Act needs to be reformed immediately to prevent any further suffering to the tens of thousands of innocent canine and feline lives here. The Attorney General of Mauritius, Maneesh Gobin, holds Ministerial governance over law enforcement in a country where his very own Animal Welfare entity, MSAW, is continually and inhumanely contravening The Animal Welfare Act.

Attached is an open letter from the animal lovers of Mauritius to the newly appointed President of MSAW, Mr Didier Pursun. Following on from this are translated versions of recent self-explanatory press articles from here on our so-called ‘paradise’ island. Links to each of these respective articles are offered also. In addition, the images attached are stills from video taken inside MSAW’s own pounds in the last quarter of 2020. These videos have not been released to the general public as yet.

Since these disturbing images of neglect and abuse have been released, MSAW’s only reaction has been to deny such treatment and conditions, and to question its staff in an internal inquiry to establish who at MSAW took these damning videos. They have NOT launched an investigation into the inactions of their staff or their board members. There has been no mention of reprimanding or prosecuting their own staff for gross-misconduct, negligence, or animal cruelty, where so obviously this has been the case among all the ranks there, board members included.

The public are repeatedly told by MSAW officials and Maneesh Gobin that there is nothing to see at MSAW, or indeed anything unsavoury to learn about them. The images of what goes on behind these ‘concentration camp’ walls speak for themselves, and sit in complete contradiction to all that the government have to say regarding animal welfare here.

We see the only hope for change being reform to the Animal Welfare Act (2013). This Act was put in place in line with the closure of the Mauritian Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (MSPCA) because of accusations of animal abuse and the illegal treatment of animals.

The Animal Welfare Act (2013) was also written to see in the creation of MSAW, a similar government-funded body-corporate as MSPCA before it, and one that has not justified public purse expenditure since its inception 8 years ago. There has been zero financial transparency since 2005, including both MSPCA and MSAW’s trading periods. Ex-employees have also testified towards high levels of corruption and the misuse of funds within the institution. As we have no Freedom of Information Act here, it is proving difficult to see how much public-purse funding has passed through MSAW’s hands, or indeed where any of it has been allocated.

MSAW also operates with a board of members who are nameless. This, to the best of our knowledge, is the only government-funded Animal Welfare entity in the World that operates in complete secrecy and with no accountability to the tax-paying public. The last 16 years have passed with no financial accounts put forward by either MSPCA or MSAW. As you can see from the press articles attached, there have been claims of corruption against MSAW, not only now, but against them and the MSPCA for many years previously. It is disgraceful that this has been endorsed and defended by Maneesh Gobin, the current Prime Minister, and by all successive governments for a very long time.

Under Mauritian laws, euthanasia must be practiced by a qualified veterinarian. The MSAW has not been employing any Veterinarian since September 2020. There is no information on who has been practising euthanasia and in which conditions these have been practised. A substance designed to minimise the suffering of the animal during euthanasia is also currently not available in Mauritius. We hence suspect that euthanasia is not being practiced in a lawful manner. A video released by the UK’s Daily Mail in 2015 showed dogs being punctured in the heart with lethal injections by dog-handlers, and NOT vets!

Worse still, no access is now granted to Animal Welfare NGOs and the public are unable to visit without leaving their mobile phones, camera or any other device behind, so hence MSAW operate in complete opacity. Yet this behaviour and these practices are being endorsed and defended by Maneesh Gobin, our nation’s Attorney General. Mr Gobin is also Minister of Agro Industry and Food Security, the ministry under which Animal Welfare falls. Queries from Animal Welfare NGOs, activists and rescuers only meet with inertia, lies or cover-ups on the part of the Ministry, Animal Welfare Unit and MSAW itself.

It is the Animal Welfare Act, as it still stands today, that allows these atrocities, hence it is therefore the Act that needs drastic reform. The articles attached explain the current situation very well indeed. MSAW has not only abused the dogs it picks up from the streets, but since its inception, has done nothing for animal welfare, its main activities revolving around euthanising healthy dogs and cats where the law here offers other alternatives like adoption. Hence, MSAW staff are perpetrating both illegal and unethical welfare practices.

Many of the island’s NGOs and numerous animal lovers here have offered help to MSAW and Maneesh Gobin, yet neither show any intent to communicate. We remain perplexed as to how such ‘systems’ remain, when all the while they remain open to abuse and closed to scrutiny. It is overwhelmingly obvious that public funds are being misdirected away from anything resembling the enhancement of the welfare of animals. Even employees of MSAW themselves are now saying this, yet the only thing this has brought about is a witch-hunt among the staff at MSAW to apportion blame for their whistle-blowing actions.

The Ministry of Agro Industry & Food Security, that with oversight of MSAW, and that headed by Maneesh Gobin, the island’s Attorney General, has also recently terminated a contract with Humane Society International (HSI) for mass-sterilisation. HSI came, they did great work at their own expense, they were then abruptly asked to leave, and all requests to Maneesh Gobin for an explanation as to why he cannot renew, or at very least review, HSI’s licence to operate here under their own steam, have been met with silence. HSI have asked, Maneesh Gobin has done nothing other than ignore them.

Animal Welfare here has not changed for decades, whilst issues of abandonment, abuse, and illegal dog breeding have all directly caused an increase in the stray head-count here. The culture here breeds a vermin-mentality attitude towards stray dogs, where they are treated no better than bats, which are culled simply for their innate fruit-eating habits. Catch & kill has been operating as the only considered remedy, unsuccessfully, for many generations. It has to stop, and we have to consider sterilisation, sanctuary, and education, as the only credible and sustainable alternatives. Yet, that said, any such suggestions fall not only on deaf ears with Maneesh Gobin, but, as above, any of those who propose such change are vilified, and just lately all NGOs have been banned from entry into either of MSAW’s two locations (AKA The Killing Pounds) to check on the health and wellbeing of the dogs.

As the Act stands today, under its current stewardship of Manish Gobin, our animals have an equally bleak future as those before them. Mr Gobin has no interest in engaging with NGOs and animal lovers, and he defends the atrocities at MSAW, brushing them all under the heavy carpet of the nation’s legal statutes that protect them from legal recourse. In spite of the fact that MSAW abuse is repeatedly brought to light by the animal welfare community here in Mauritius, all the perpetrators of abuse, members of management and council members of such a disgraceful institution still remain in office!

We need mass sterilisation to form part of the Act, just as we need all-new sanctuary and education directives too. We also need to open our borders to veterinarians from abroad, yet the island’s Veterinary Council are restricting such ‘mass-sterilisation’ vets from coming here. NGOs wishing to undertake their own privately-funded sterilisation campaigns are now unable to do so with any measure of frequency, solely because of the lack of qualified vets here. Maneesh Gobin has the power to affect change to this situation also, yet he chooses not to intervene.

So, in summary, we ask that the press cover this story and seek comment from International Animal Welfare Organisations when doing so. We also ask that the latter-mentioned Animal Welfare organisations write directly and openly to both the Prime Minister, Pravind Jugnauth, and to our Attorney General, Maneesh Gobin, in order to recommend immediate reform to the Animal Welfare Act (2013). We ask that you suggest the establishment of a new Animal Welfare organisation, one which will operate in line with international animal welfare norms and best practices, one run not by political nominees as is the case now, but by genuine animal lovers with the appropriate expertise and passion for living beings.

Any effort to help our cause will be well received by us and our beloved animals.

<p>Mr Pursun, first and foremost, allow us to publicly congratulate you upon your appointment as the Chairman of one of the most disgraceful animal welfare organisations the world surely has known, the Mauritius Society for &ldquo;Animal Welfare&rdquo;. The sarcasm, you will note, emanates from the fact that the MSAW has done very little for Animal Welfare in this country. The current state of animal welfare itself is despicable, with a constant rise in animal abandonment, animal abuse and rampant illegal breeding. All of this, coupled with the fact that MSAW,&nbsp; as the only public institution benefitting from public money, is doing very little, if anything at all, to promote animal welfare in terms of education or otherwise.</p>

<p>In FACT, as we have witnessed ourselves, MSAW is perpetrating continued animal abuse, all in direct contravention to the Animal Welfare Act 2013, the very Act by virtue of which the institution has been created and are mandated to uphold. Such a shame for our country and for an Attorney General, himself principal legal advisor to the Mauritian Government, and Minister of Agro-Industry, under whose responsibility animal welfare and the MSAW fall.</p>

<p>You claim in your article in l&rsquo;Express (19<sup>th</sup> January 2021) that MSAW management was not aware of the situation. How can the management of this institution possibly claim they there were not aware that dogs on THEIR premises were being starved to the point of eating each other given the fact that this has become known to even Animal Welfare NGOs since early December? A group of NGOs went to MSAW on the 9<sup>th</sup> of December 2020 in order to seek explanations and ask for a visit. No explanations were offered and a visit was brutally declined. Since the beginning of December 2020, several animal lovers have alerted the Ministry of Agro-Industry, the MSAW and the Animal Welfare Unit, following the testimony of an expatriate who went there at the beginning of December, and who had witnessed, with his own eyes, skeletal dogs feeding on both dead and dying dogs. He compassionately alerted NGOs about these disgusting conditions.</p>

<p>An article published in L&rsquo;Express, that dated 5<sup>th</sup> of December 2020, was in fact based on the testimony of that expatriate, hence putting the information in the public domain. How possibly can you therefore claim that MSAW management was not aware of what was going on their own premises???!!!! Your claim points to double irresponsibility on the part of those despicable people in charge of the running of this organisation, both on failure to act upon information made public and in failure to properly manage the institution which falls under their responsibility!</p>

<p>We now have appalling and disgusting images testifying to the long-standing suggestions that dogs held captive by the MSAW were IN FACT starved to such an extent that they were indeed eating each other. What sanctions are being contemplated with regards to those in charge of the management of this institution? Are they to remain in office after such unacceptable gross misconduct and what about the board members who were in office at that time, are they too exempted from gross negligence and misconduct in failing to properly fulfil their fiduciary duties???!!!</p>

<p>The lightness with which you treat the situation demonstrates your sheer lack of empathy and responsibility and this, in fact, is the very crux of the problem. The reason the state of Animal Welfare is what it is today because of people like you, political nominees who do not care about animals and who take up such responsibilities for political (or other?) reasons, and not because of genuine concern for animals. The same applies to the whole management, staffing and directorship of this appalling institution, none of them care genuinely about animals, as if they did, dogs and cats would not have lost their lives in such horrible, unacceptable, manner.</p>

<p>Let&rsquo;s move to the competence of the people currently in charge of running this organisation. We trust that you have assessed their level (or lack of?) competences like for example Mrs Ganga who from a Secretary has been continually promoted upwards to Administrative Manager of the MSAW. Mr Pursun, if you really mean action, we demand that those responsible for the management, and for these atrocious acts of abuse and gross negligence be dismissed with IMMEDIATE EFFECT, along with those council members who have been party to these atrocities all these years and have done NOTHING about the state of the matter!</p>

<p>You have also publicly stated that the MSAW currently does not employ any veterinarian. Several NGOs have recently asked on numerous occasions how is the MSAW proceeding with the euthanasia of these animals and in which conditions are these being practiced? These questions remain unattended to date despite numerous requests and reminders. Request from NGOs to visit and make an independent assessment of the condition of the dogs held under MSAW custody have also remained unattended. You mention that mobiles are not allowed as it is not an animal park. Well, fair enough in part, yet the animal &lsquo;pound&rsquo; is likewise not a prison or concentration camp that should operate in such opacity, certainly if you wish to be genuine and transparent in your state-assigned duties towards animal welfare!</p>

<p>On now to the matter of the financials, those which you declare publicly that you have <i>&ldquo;NOTHING&nbsp; to say&rdquo; </i>about. Therefore, allow us to inform the public that the MSAW, previously MSPCA, has not produced and filed accounts with the Parliament of Mauritius since 2005!!! So since 2005, SIXTEEN YEARS ago, there is no accountability whatsoever with regards to public funds received, nor any details as to how this unknown quantity of funds are being applied in the name of &ldquo;animal welfare.&rdquo; Several ex-employees have highlighted the high level of corruption and mis-use of funds within this institution. How about informing the public then, Mr Pursun, now that you are the Chairman, how these funds have been applied for 16 years!!!!?????</p>

<p>Catch and kill in Mauritius is completely unnecessary and has done nothing to resolve the increase in our dog population. This is because dogs killed are replaced by irresponsible civilians who allow their dogs to stray or worse dump their pets or their litters on the streets. Illegal breeding has taken enormous proportions due to no control or education on the matter. The MSAW has done NOTHING to curb illegal breeding. NO communication is done on this matter. In fact anyone who allows his dog to breed without a breeding licence is doing so illegally and it is also illegal to advertise a dog for breeding. Advertisement of dogs for breeding and selling of breed dogs are made everyday on Facebook with no intervention from the authorities. Can this be explained from testimonies gathered from ex MSAW employees revealing that dog-catchers themselves pick up breed dogs to sell to breeders? Or by the fact that council members are themselves involved in breeding activities?</p>

<p>The stray problem can be resolved through much needed mass sterilisation and education. Sadly, the government&rsquo;s contract with Humane Society International - who have international expertise in mass sterilisation programmes - has not been renewed. It has come to our attention that the contract for mass sterilisation will now be allocated to someone close to Minister Gobin, with this being yet another example of political interference and corruption which is highly detrimental to animal welfare.</p>

<p>Talking about interference, we should also mention the role played by the Vet Council in Mauritius in &ldquo;blocking&rdquo; or non-renewal of foreign vets&rsquo; permits in order to protect the local &ldquo;cartel&rdquo; of veterinarians, when there is a desperate lack of veterinarians in the country.</p>

<p>The statements you have made in L&rsquo;Express on 19th January 2021 reveal your lack of strategy, professionalism, knowledge of the subject matter, and empathy in the face of the appalling and unacceptable state of affairs of such a despicable institution. To our view, the MSAW has failed miserably and on all possible counts in enforcing and promoting animal welfare in Mauritius and should be closed down IMMEDIATELY. Genuine animal lovers should be given the financial means to do proper animal welfare, education, sterilisations, and the running of sanctuaries through proper accountability, all line with International best practices.</p>

<p>Sincerely,</p>

<p>The Animal Lovers of Mauritius</p>

Translations from recent Mauritian press articles:

L’Express

6th DECEMBER 2020

https://www.lexpress.mu/article/386089/animaux-msaw-encore-accusee-maltraitance

Photo of an abused animal, as the MSAW staff asked the witness to leave his phone in his car .

Wounded dogs, hungry dogs or many animals confined in a restricted space... This was the observation of a foreigner during a visit to the headquarters of the Mauritius Society for Animal Welfare (MSAW) a few days ago. He was not there by chance. Indeed, he had come to check if his dog that had strayed had not been captured by the MSAW.

When he arrived, the staff asked him to leave his cell phone in his car. Once inside, he was told that there were dogs captured three to four days before his visit. He was hopeful that he would be able to find his pet. Without wasting any time, he visited the different compartments where the dogs were, but unfortunately his dog was not there. However, he was surprised to see animals that were not being treated well. Some were starving.

No food or water

This is not the first time that the MSAW has been at the centre of this kind of controversy. Non-governmental organisations have sounded the alarm on several occasions.

Petra Gisske, president of the Petra Animal Welfare Foundation, condemns all forms of cruelty to animals. "The MSAW Institute is supposed to be a place of well-being where animals are to be treated humanely. I myself have witnessed the treatment of animals, which receive no food, water or medical attention," she explains.

She adds that "sterilisation, microchipping, vaccination, deworming and release into their own natural habitat are the only humane ways to work together. We need to wake up and try to work together for animal welfare where NGOs, animal lovers and the government work together in a humane way. We will have to answer for our actions in this life and beyond".

According to Petra Gisske, the different animal welfare organisations will gather in a few days time to denounce the MSAW way of doing things.

We have contacted, in vain, the MSAW's communication manager.

L’Express

17th DECEMBER 2020

https://www.lexpress.mu/article/386545/msaw-joanna-berenger-peinee-voir-23-chiens-confines-dans-un-espace-restreint

After the visit of the animal welfare activists to the Mauritius Society for Animal Welfare (MSAW) in Vallée-des-Prêtres on Wednesday, December 9, which finally did not take place due to the refusal of the staff, Joanna Bérenger did not remain insensitive. The deputy went out into the field to make a report in person on Thursday, December 17.

She, on the other hand, was allowed to visit the MSAW premises, accompanied by a person who lost his dog a few days ago. After her visit, she returned to the conditions in which the dogs are kept... disgusting conditions at first sight.

"This organisation is called Mauritius Society for Animal Welfare. We have to change its name. They know nothing about Animal Welfare. Moreover, this society operates in total opacity. Visitors are not allowed to bring their phones... why? It made me sad to see 23 dogs confined in a small space. Some of them are hungry and others have open wounds. I don't know how the dogs got injured. There are no more than 100 dogs while the MSAW claims there are 300. Where have the animals gone," said Joanna Bérenger.

Joana Bérenger appeals to the Minister of Agro-Industry, Maneesh Gobin, to amend the Animal Welfare Act for the benefit of animals. Bérenger also condemns the MSAW's 'catch and kill'. "Who takes care of the dogs if the MSAW claims not to have a veterinarian? What do we do with taxpayers' money? Animal welfare must also be a priority in Mauritius".

[Joanna Berenger is a member of the political party, MMM]

L’Express

15th JANUARY 2021

https://www.lexpress.mu/article/387620/maltraitance-envers-animaux-msaw-et-maneesh-gobin-aux-abois

They will have to answer to the law. The Mauritius Society for Animal Welfare (MSAW) and the Minister of Agro-industry and Attorney General, Maneesh Gobin, were summoned to the Supreme Court on February 17 by Justice Johanne Moutou-Leckning for an injunction against the "catch and euthanise" method and abuses taking place at MSAW. A request for an injunction was prepared by lawyers Yash Appadoo and Rex Stephen, representing the president of the non-governmental organisation Quatre Tilapat, Linley Moothien.

The latter has denounced, since last year, on several occasions, animal abuse within this governmental organisation. Linley Moothien, who has sworn an affidavit, is looking forward to the court session scheduled for February 17. "This is a great step forward. We have tried several times to talk amicably but nothing has been done. We have been working on this file with my lawyers for months, especially after what happened on October 16." Indeed, on October 16, 2020, according to Linley Moothien and other corroborating sources, a high-ranking officer of the Animal Welfare Unit requisitioned the assistance of ‘4 Tilapat’ and the police to go to the MSAW of Vallée-des-Prêtres, because he was aware of numerous animal abuses at that location. The dogs were to be retrieved for transport to the Linley Moothien sanctuary. However, despite the presence of police and officials of the Animal Welfare Unit, access to the Vallée-des-Prêtres Animal Pound was denied. The senior officer of the Animal Welfare Unit, under the aegis of the Ministry of Agro-industry, was transferred two days later. "It's time to act because the Minister of Agribusiness is covering up the barbaric actions of the MSAW," Moothien said.

The animal rights activist, Reda Chamroo, for his part, says he is happy that the MSAW is going to court. He himself has repeatedly tried to contact the organation and the Ministry of Agribusiness through letters and surprise visits to their premises. "We went there several times, but they did not let us in. We also went to the ministry, but the minister did not receive us. We sent several letters, but no response. Recently we requested the assistance of the Animal Welfare Unit, but they ignored us."

Maneesh Gobin's silence is also denounced by Shakeel Mohamed. As a lawyer, he had sent a letter to the Minister on December 18. He has received no response so far. The letter in question mentioned several proposals from Shakeel Mohamed's client regarding the replacement of the MSAW by requesting meetings with Maneesh Gobin. It was also accompanied by screenshots of videos taken in November and December 2020, showing the abuse that prevails within MSAW. "Since December 18, I have been quiet about this letter. I did not want to make a political issue out of it, as I am dealing with it as a lawyer. But during all this time the minister did not even care to reply to the letter. Not answering it amounts to a conspiracy to hide the truths that are happening within the walls of the MSAW and to tolerate violence against animals." According to Shakeel Mohamed, the Minister had an obligation to respond because the MSAW receives taxpayers' money.

According to the Animal Welfare Act 2013, the MSAW is considered to be the society that the government funds, according to section 13 (1) of the Act, to promote the welfare and proper treatment of animals and prevent cruelty to animals".

No confidence in the animal welfare unit

Regarding the relationship between the MSAW and the Animal Welfare Unit, although both entities are governmental, the Animal Welfare Unit does not trust the MSAW in any way. "I won't go into details, but when we have cases of abuse, officials prefer to send animals to non-governmental sanctuaries rather than to MSAW. It's for an obvious reason," revealed one of our sources in the veterinary division.

Contacted for his feelings about the injunction and why he did not respond to Shakeel Mohamed's letter, Minister Maneesh Gobin replied, through one of his officials, that he would not comment on the case going to court. He further states that he has not received a letter from lawyer Shakeel Mohamed. For its part, the MSAW had not answered our questions about the court case and the abuse charges at the time of going to press.

The new chairman, Didier Pursun, cannot be reached.

However, he had promised, in L’Express, that he would answer all the questions of the press, once at his post. But Didier Pursun, new president of the MSAW, lawyer by profession, asked again yesterday, did not answer our numerous calls.

The proposals for an ideal Democracy

They consist of different elements, some of which go beyond the MSAW, but which, taken as a whole, would help to solve the problem of stray dogs in Mauritius, under the Ideal Democratic Party. Several members of this party have carried out a study and drafted a report on the Mauritius Society for Animal Welfare (MSAW), in discussion with several non-governmental organisations. The recommendations are as follows:

(a) The total reform of MSAW into an institution managed and administered, not by political nominees as is the case at present, but by persons competent in the matter and above all who love animals.

(b) The conversion of the MSAW clinic into a animal hospital that would operate on a 24/7 basis and the use of the hated and outdated "kamion lisien" (dog catching vans) as ambulances to recover sick animals.

(c) The creation of regional "No-Kill Shelters" that would fall under the aegis of District Councils and Municipalities and funded by CSR funds.

(d) Using the successful Dutch model, implement a systematic "Catch-Neuter-Release" policy across the island using international NGOs such as HSI (Humane Service International). This would be complemented by a significant tax increase on the purchase of purebred dogs, thus encouraging the adoption of dogs that are in shelters.

(e) The establishment of a service dedicated to animals to rescue those who are mistreated. The growing violence in our society also affects animals, who are defenceless. This "squad" would also be responsible for the denouncing of  illegal breeding.

(f) The reconversion, through appropriate training, of a number of stray dogs into "Support Dogs" who, depending on their character, can easily act as support dogs in schools for children in school distress, for the elderly or otherwise able-bodied or even as companions in rehabilitation centres.

(g) Empowering owners by amending the Animal Welfare Act for more severe penalties for proven animal abuse.

(h) Include "Respect for Animals" in the school curriculum as this education begins at an early age.

(i) To encourage the establishment of a veterinary school in Mauritius to encourage more young people to seek veterinary education in view of the current lack of veterinarians in the country. - Long-term solutions are urgently needed. Given the cost of studying abroad, it would be wise to offer this type of orientation in Mauritius.

Stray dogs by the tens of thousands

The Humane Society International (HSI), an international organisation that campaigns for animal rights, had conducted a study that showed that Mauritius has about 260,000 dogs. While the former Minister of Agro-industry, Mahen Seeruttun, had put forward the figure of nearly 300,000 dogs, 80,000 of which are stray dogs, in Parliament in 2016.

Lack of veterinarians?

Could this be another problem at the MSAW? Some sources seem to think so. It all began when, to their dismay, Flacq resident Yash and his fiancée learned that there was no veterinarian available at the MSAW on Tuesday. "We picked up a small cat that was crushed on the road in Alma a few days ago. The kitten needed a lot of medical care, I gave him some care but since I have dogs I thought it was better to take him to a place where he will receive care and where they can keep him." However, when he arrived at the MSAW, he says he was shocked to learn from the staff that there was no veterinarian available. "The staff told me that there was no veterinarian available and that this situation had been going on for a long time." According to one source, it is indeed common that there is no veterinarian available 24/7. "Animals are coming in and dying without anyone knowing what happened to them." Another source says that if a veterinarian is present, it's only for 30 minutes a day. This problem of lack of veterinarians was one of the questions asked to the MSAW and for which we are still waiting for answers.

Le Mauricien

15th JANUARY 2021

https://www.lemauricien.com/actualites/bien-etre-des-animaux-lanimal-welfare-foundation-veut-remplacer-la-msaw/398286/

Since the Mauritius Society for Animal Welfare has been receiving criticism, a group of people are now looking to replace it with the Animal Welfare Foundation. Being ready to implement their action plan, they made their request to the Ministry of Agro-industry, through their legal representative, Shakeel Mohamed, last month. In correspondence specifically addressed to the Minister of Agro-industry, Maneesh Gobin, this group of individuals also wants to alert international animal welfare authorities on how animals are being treated by MSAW in Mauritius.

Supporting the request of his clients with macabre photos, dating from November and December 2020, where dogs are seen eating dog corpses, Shakeel Mohamed explains in detail the reasons why these individuals want to replace the MSAW including its responsibilities and functions. According to the letter, it would appear that the treatment given to animals at the MSAW is "inhumane" and the Animal Welfare Foundation wishes to offer "humane" treatment to animals in Mauritius and Rodrigues. "My clients' sole objective is to offer you a credible and workable solution as to the more humane and effective running of an Animal Welfare body in a post-MSAW Mauritius," the letter states, a copy of which was sent to Prime Minister Pravind Jugnauth.

Taking into account the images he attached to his letter and the testimonies obtained by clients from local and foreign employees and visitors, Shakeel Mohamed argues that the treatment accorded by the MSAW to employees is one that no nation would have aspired to. "The MSAW has greater financial incentive to catch and kill than they do to catch, neuter and release. What the MSAW is doing (and not doing) with public funding is unlawful, inhumane, and unacceptable; a blight on your Ministry, the government, and the entire nation," he says. Because of the treatment given to animals, global associations, he adds, would be informed of MSAW's treatment of animals if no improvement is made in the treatment.

These organisations that will be contacted include Humane Society International (HSI), People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA), among others. In the letter, the clients lamented that "the MSAW has continued in its treatment of animals, and nothing has changed. Shakeel Mohamed points out in his correspondence that those who will sit on the Animal Welfare Foundation's "board" will work voluntarily. "Their proposals are entirely selfless, and not based on any material interest whatsoever. Their new organisation will be fully accountable for public funds. They will submit annual audited accounts and quarterly management accounts to the Ministry in a timely manner. Accounts will also be published on their website," he writes, to ensure transparency.

In order to replace the MSAW with the Animal Welfare Foundation, his clients are asking, among other things, for an end to the government's contract with the MSAW, the creation of a new animal welfare entity with a well-designed strategic plan. The cessation of capture and slaughter and the funding of Rs 4 million per month. This money will be used for sterilisation of animals throughout the country, education for children and students, establishment of animal sanctuaries and reform of the progressive animal welfare law.

In the letter, Shakeel Mohamed also refers to the existence of testimonials and videos obtained from his clients, demonstrating repeated acts of cruelty by MSAW to animals, defying the Animal Welfare Act of 2013. "The MSAW continues to contravene the very Act by which it is empowered, and on the basis of which it is financed to uphold and promote Animal Welfare. My clients hold beyond any doubt that this is now more damningly evidenced than ever before," he writes.

In the letter, we read that vans, with a capacity to carry 15 dogs, are still filled with 86 animals already registered. The drivers are accused of killing and throwing the dead dogs in the  sugarcane fields when they make noise, while some are sold to dog breeders. A single bowl of food is given to 40 dogs, resulting in dead bodies. Dogs are also left abandoned without any food and are not even sedated before being given a lethal injection. "The MSAW has sadly become a slaughterhouse run by monsters, a concentration camp for both cats and dogs," said Shakeel Mohamed.

He also deplores the fact that neither the annual reports nor the audited accounts of the MSAW have been tabled in the National Assembly since 2014. "There has been no financial accountability for these public funds since the founding of the MSAW in 2013," he said.

L’Express

19th JANUARY 2021

https://www.lexpress.mu/article/387775/didier-pursun-president-msaw-nous-nemployons-aucun-veterinaire?fbclid=IwAR2C1nqX1Pq38f8Ze6H7ybznDkvTS3StwGbeQyga8bdzKUdEDDSrolkWDU0

Didier Pursun, President of the Mauritius Society for Animal Welfare since January 4.

The animal welfare society has recently been criticised and denounced for the treatment of animals under its care. An NGO has even sought an injunction against it in court. The newly appointed president speaks out and clears his name.

Q:        You have been in office since January 4. What is your assessment of the situation, after the numerous recent denunciations of cruelty against the organisation?

A:        I actually took up my position on January 4 on a two-year contract. I have been close to the Militant Socialist Movement (MSM) for a very long time and Maneesh Gobin (Editor's note: Minister of Agro-industry and whose Mauritius Society for Animal Welfare - MSAW - falls under the guardianship) is an old friend. We were in the same class. We talked, he asked me to help him at the MSAW level, as the former president's contract had come to an end. I undertook a surprise visit to the MSAW in Vallée-des-Prêtres two days later, on January 6, and I must say that I was pleasantly surprised. There was no trace of abuse.

All the dogs were in perfect health, the bowls were full and the places where the food for the animals was stored and cooked were hygienic. None of the dogs showed signs of suffering. I then met with the staff on site, who explained to me how things were done on site. I can assure you first hand that everything was fine.

Q:        However, there are many pictures showing dogs eating each other. What do you have to say?

A:        Of course, it's horrible. But from what I have learned, it happened in November and December 2020. Even if I was not there at the time, I will not shirk my responsibilities and I can assure you that we have already launched an internal investigation into this matter. Therefore, I ask for the help of everyone, the public, the rescuers, L’Express to get more photos and videos on this act of cannibalism, in order to be able to establish the facts.

I'm not saying that it didn't happen, but we will have to continue to investigate, so that everyone can take responsibility. Because there is definitely someone who took these photos, and if it was a member of staff, he was doubly mistaken, because although he wanted to alert public opinion, he never reported the problem to the management. No one at MSAW was aware of this problem.

Q:        What about the 4 Tilapat injunction? (Editor's note, Quatre Tilapat filed an injunction in court against the Minister of Agro-Industry and the MSAW on the "catch & euthanise" method and animal abuse at the MSAW)

A:        It wasn't until Thursday that I found out about it on the radio and then in the newspapers. In the meantime, on Wednesday, at my first council meeting, we had already taken the decision to stop catching and euthanising the dogs on a daily basis. From now on, the dogs will only be picked up at strategic locations such as the port, the airport, hospitals and schools.

Q:        What are the reasons behind this decision?

A:        Firstly, lack of space. Many have asked if we will pick up more, but where will we put them? All the kennels in Vallée-des-Prêtres are already full. Unfortunately adoptions are rare. People are looking for pedigree dogs.

Then, I am not going to deny it. We have indeed no veterinarian employed by the MSAW. We are supported by the Veterinary Services Division of the Ministry of Agribusiness, which provides us with a veterinarian for half a day each day.

Q:        Is this enough to take care of all the dogs that are picked up?

A:        Of course not. We discussed this at the council meeting and we made it clear that we could no longer accept such a situation. So recruitment advertisements will soon be launched for local and international veterinarians. This procedure should take about six months. In the meantime we will be launching notices for veterinarians on part-time contracts. Because it is important to have veterinarians available in case of emergency.

Q:        So for or against euthanasia?

A:        Against it. I am an animal-lover, I have a dog myself. But it is important that euthanasia be done in certain cases. For example, to shorten the suffering of a seriously ill dog, or if the animal is a carrier of a disease that could be transmitted to others. It is a necessary evil. However, this practice is stopped at the MSAW, for the moment, until we have our pool of veterinarians.

Q:        NGOs are focusing on sterilisation to counter the problem of stray dogs. Your opinion on this subject?

A:        Sterilisation yes, but I say no to catch-neuter-release. Release where? Put them back in nature? They will be a danger. I want to introduce catch-neuter-adopt. Adoption must be a non-negligible aspect at the MSAW. Of course, we will make sure that not only the dogs are sterilised but also microchipped, registered and we will do check-ups beforehand.

The NGOs are doing a great job on the ground but it is the MSAW that has the responsibility to control the stray dogs in the country. However, I am, at this very moment, in contact with several NGOs; all their recommendations on this subject are welcome.

Q:        A figure on the annual funding of MSAW? It is also often pointed out that there is often interference or even a waste of funds within the organisation?

A:        I won't say anything about funding.

Q:        Several animal rights advocates are asking that the AMWA be replaced by an "Animal Welfare Foundation". What do you think about this?

A:        MSAW is equipped with all the necessary infrastructure but we are overwhelmed by the number of stray dogs in the country.

Q:        Do we know the exact number of stray dogs in Mauritius?

A:        No. I do not know. I see 300,000 and former Minister Seeruttun puts forward another figure. I do not know.

Q:        If all goes well in the MSAW department in Vallée-des-Prêtres. Why so many restrictions to access it? Among other things, no right to bring one's cell phone inside?

A:        This place is not an animal park, you have to adhere to the rules.