Cultural Slaughter in Residential Areas

We wish attention to be drawn to the cultural slaughtering of animals in our residential area. Within the space of 2 weeks the residents in my street have been subjected to these rituals twice.

In both instances no official permission had been obtained for these rituals to be conducted in the area. The norm taking place is that notification is received in our post boxes on the day of intended home slaughter, not allowing the residents sufficient time to object. We are being given no choice but to endure the situation. Surely, as with all other notifications, sufficient time should be given for objections to be lodged?

Under normal circumstances any animal slaughtered has to be passed by a health inspector before being consumed, slaughter is undertaken under HUMANE circumstances and as this is a tick-free environment, what steps are taken to prevent possible spread of disease in instances like this? Not only could the meat be unsafe for human consumption, but there is also the question of how the hide etc. is disposed of too. (The writer of this letter was unable to enjoy her backyard the following morning, due to the sight of a goat's head impaled on a pole in her neighbour's backyard.)

While these rituals are culture-based, as they are not rituals shared and understood by all, to the vast majority of the residents in this area, these rituals are considered both cruel and very distressing. The bleating and crying of the restrained animals is hard to ignore, particularly as most in my specific street are animal lovers. (It is not uncommon for the press to cover stories where frighted cows, sheep and goats break loose in residential areas, causing pandemonium.)

Municipal by-laws have protected domesticated animals and their owners by banning firecrackers in residential areas, even although this is a ritual as old as the hills. Most spoken to or speaking of this practice, regardless of where they are resident, find the practice distasteful and inhumane.

While there is appreciation and respect for cultural differences, it is hard to live in harmony when there are no laws to guide and protect ALL residents in ALL areas, as is the case in this instance. As residents, we therefore strongly object to this practice and request the Municipality to implement a by-law that makes provision for this practice in prescribed areas, as is the case with fireworks and any other generally accepted method of slaughter, e.g. abattoirs.

Another aspect to be taken into consideration is the noise that accompanies these celebrations. Disturbance of the peace is also not taken into consideration during these times and we have had to endure entire week-ends of drunken and unnecessary noisy disturbance, that is only deemed acceptable due to this being a cultural ritual. Not only is the noise a bone of contention, but also the accompanying public indecency, as frequently it is observed that inebriated participants urinate out in the open or against the boundary walls. As will be observed from the above information, there are many legal aspects that a blind eye is being turned to and feel that these deserve immediate attention. (The writer, when complaining to the police of the public indecency and noise, was advised to leave her home during the celebrations if she was unhappy with the situation. Her house was also filled with fire smoke, due to inconsiderately placed fires.)

I support the cause of having cultural rituals moved to prescribed areas: