Let’s end unnecessary suffering of our working animals!
Elnet Foundation in collaboration with Brooke Ethiopia and Addis Ababa city administration farmers and urban agriculture development commission is providing mobile veterinary service for equines in Addis Ababa. The service is able to reach many equids.
The horse on the picture had completely lost sight on both eyes. While the horse was in the hands of its owner, over time and due to the material used to cover the eyes while working, his eyes became blind.
In addition to this eye problem, the horse suffered from a disease called epizootic lymphangitis, and his legs were thus severely injured. According to World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH), Epizootic Lymphangitis is a contagious, chronic disease of horses, mules and donkeys. The disease is characterised clinically by a suppurative, ulcerating, and spreading pyogranulomatous, multifocal dermatitis and lymphangitis. His body weight had also decreased, making it weak and frail. Hence the owner discarded his working animal by dislocating it from his home.
The information and request that enabled us to help this horse came through social media.
Mrs. Muna Umer first posted about the horse on Expats in Addis Ababa – a Facebook group. Following this Elnet Foundation teams in coordination with Brooke Ethiopia and relevant authorities acted rapidly to understand the location and condition of the horse. Following this, we were able to go to the place and help the horse as much as possible.
Mr. Petros helped us to find the horse in Tulu Dimtu, around project 12 area. They told us that the horse was in a very bad condition when it came to their area. They had no idea that he could be helped by an organization to alleviate its suffering.
After finding the location of the horse, and taking into account the condition of it, it was decided to free it from overlapping types of pain and suffering; so we were able to put him to rest through euthanasia, a medical procedure to humanely and pain free euthanize an animal.
