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Dogs and cats in a confined space: illegal animal transport
Photo: - / dpa
In Cologne, the authorities have stopped an illegal animal transporter from Spain and Portugal.
"In the closed loading area of almost ten square meters, 52 dogs and six cats were kept on the sides in around 30 cages and several boxes," said the city.
As a result, a witness had drawn the authorities' attention to the unannounced transport on Saturday afternoon.
This stopped on a street in the Bocklemünd Mengenich district, where more than 50 people had gathered, some without a minimum distance and occasionally without a mask.
The cages were said to be stacked in three rows on top of each other.
During the inspection of the two drivers, the security service and the environmental agency discovered "questionable conditions": the transport had not been registered with the environmental agency, and papers had not been issued in accordance with EU regulations.
Puppies and cats in bad shape
The veterinarians who were called would have checked every dog for vaccinations, correct chip numbers and manipulations or abnormalities that were mandatory for importation into Germany.
It was said inside the vehicle that it was very warm and smelled strongly of urine.
The city said the animals were scared.
Not all of them got enough water and food.
In addition, her health was not checked during the transport.
Three puppies and four cats in poor condition were brought to the animal shelter, the others given to animal welfare organizations.
Those responsible for the transporter with Spanish registration are now to be checked further, investigations are being carried out because of the "questionable conditions surrounding the transport".
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mxw / dpa / AFP