• Wednesday, 03 July 2024

Six arrested after illegal horse slaughtering in Skopje Zoo

Six arrested after illegal horse slaughtering in Skopje Zoo
Skopje, 15 July 2022 (MIA) - Skopje police yesterday arrested five people, who are members of the staff of the Skopje Zoo, while slaughtering horses in auxiliary premises of the zoo to prepare meat for the carnivorous animals. Twelve horses and a hinny were slaughtered. "The people were taken into police station where the Skopje Zoo director, 35, was also summoned for questioning. Inspectors of the Food and Veterinary Agency were called at the scene where they detected irregularities conducted during the procedure and confiscated the meat," the Interior Ministry said Friday. Police will file criminal charges against all six people. In a statement, the Food and Veterinary Agency said the meat from the slaughtered ungulates was from unidentified and unregistered animals whose health status was unknown and that were slaughtered in unregistered premises. The Agency has also ordered that the meat should be disposed in a landfill. Interior Minister Oliver Spasovski confirmed on Friday that six people, including the Skopje Zoo director, have been charged. "The case should be investigated and completed thoroughly by the prosecution and the relevant institutions in order a clear message to be sent that such behavior must not be tolerated in the future," he told members of the media.