Bruges introduces a ban on the sale of animals on the Market: “Animals are not toys”

In Bruges there is still one seller of chickens and chicks on the Saturday market. The city of Bruges opts for a phase-out, so that the trader does not have to stop abruptly.

“We will not allow new sellers of live animals to enter markets. An ill-considered purchase can lead to neglect, abandonment or worse, dumping of animals,” says Alderman of Animal Welfare Mathijs Goderis.

Stress and bird flu

“We avoid the animals having to undergo frequent transport to different markets. Due to the transport, the cages with limited dimensions and busy environment, the animals are exposed to stress,” says Mathijs Goderis.

Due to the ban, the city also wants to try to prevent virus outbreaks such as bird flu. “In recent years, we have increasingly been confronted with increased vigilance. By abolishing the sale of animals in public markets, we avoid the risk of transmission of such contagious diseases.”

Asylum

“We advise people who are looking for an animal to consider adoption first. Animals are regularly offered via Het Blauwe Kruis Brugge,” it still sounds.

But there, too, they see the number of pets – especially dogs bought impulsively during the corona crisis – rising: