Animals being used to entertain tourists outside the pyramids of Giza are being abused and left to die in piles of rubbish by the giant tombs, a new investigation has revealed.
Footage taken by a PETA investigator reveals the barbaric treatment of camels and horses at the hands of animal handlers around Egypt‘s most famous landmark.
The investigation was released days after it emerged that an animal-loving vigilante who attacked a man she saw beating a donkey in Egypt is now facing a lawsuit.
One shocking clip showed the abandoned, mummified remains of a what was once a white horse, turned muddy brown by sand that had blown over its body.
Much of its flesh and skin was seen exposed to the elements, leaving the gaps between the vertebrae of its spine.
Another shows a dirtied horse carcass lying on a pile of rubbish, not moving a muscle.
Flies could be seen buzzing and crawling around the animal corpse.
Secretly-filmed footage showed a tourism business operator mercilessly whipping an exhausted horse that was lying down in the dirt.
One shocking clip showed the abandoned, mummified remains of a what was once a white horse, turned muddy brown by sand that had blown over its body
Another shows a dirtied horse carcass lying on a pile of rubbish, not moving a muscle
PETA says the abuse has been going on for years
The startled animal was seen trying to get up from its resting position, but it was too tired to move – in response, the handler appeared to abandon it in a pile of rubbish.
The animals also appear to be poorly fed, with footage showing emaciated horse digging through rubbish in an attempt to find food.
They also appear to rarely get water either.
The animal rights group claimed that ‘nothing has changed’ in the years since it began documenting the treatment of animals around Egypt’s top tourist destinations.
PETA Asia Vice President Jason Baker said of his organisation’s investigation: ‘PETA has documented the routine punching, kicking, whipping, and starving of horses and camels at the pyramids.
‘Animals are literally ridden to death and then dumped like rubbish outside the gate.
‘The Pyramids of Giza should symbolise Egypt’s beauty and history — not unchecked animal abuse. The Egyptian government must act to remove these suffering animals from Giza.
‘In the meantime, tourists must vote with their wallets and avoid these animal attractions at all costs.’
Earlier this week, astonishing footage showed Dutch expat Joke Van der Post punching the animal’s handler before chasing him with a whip as he tries to flee.
In the heartbreaking video – which has since gone viral – the donkey kicks out in agony as it is repeatedly lashed while tethered to a wall on the outskirts of Cairo.
PETA Asia Vice President Jason Baker said of his organisation’s investigation: ‘PETA has documented the routine punching, kicking, whipping, and starving of horses and camels at the pyramids’
The animals also appear to be poorly fed, with footage showing emaciated horse digging through rubbish in an attempt to find food
The animal rights group claimed that ‘nothing has changed’ in the years since it began documenting the treatment of animals around Egypt’s top tourist destinations
Footage taken by a PETA investigator reveals the barbaric treatment of camels and horses at the hands of animals handlers around Egypt ‘s most famous landmark
Handlers were seen cruelly whipping horses that were feeding
Appalled by the horrific cruelty, the 47-year-old runs at the man before pinning him against a wall and striking him several times shouting, ‘You think you’re f****** normal.’
As the man tries to run away Ms Van der Post, who manages a veterinary practice called the Good Karma Sanctuary, grabs a whip from another donkey handler and chases him off into the distance.
The man filed a police complaint accusing Ms Van der Post of assault and claiming appearing in the viral video has caused him ‘psychological harm’, local media reports.
She was arrested and later released following the altercation.
The shocking clip has triggered outrage online and cast a spotlight on the mistreatment of working animals in Egyptian tourist hotspots.
According to Ms Van der Post, who is married to an Egyptian and has lived in Cairo for many years, animal abuse is commonplace in the area.
Recalling the dramatic encounter she told NOS: ‘Of course I jumped in between them.’
She added: ‘When I shouted to stop, I was called a w**** and the man laughed and then hit harder.’
Egypt’s Ministry of Interior confirmed the man seen in the video had also been identified and arrested.
This is the astonishing moment a Dutch woman punches a man who was beating a donkey before chasing him with a whip as he tries to flee
Heartbreaking footage shows the animal kicking out in agony as it is repeatedly lashed while tethered to a wall on the outskirts of Cairo
Ms Van der Post believes she may still face a lawsuit and told NOS: ‘I could probably get six months or a year in prison, or maybe even deportation. But if that means that something will finally change here, it was worth it.’
Her clinic, staffed by three full-time veterinarians, offers care to horses, donkeys, and mules, providing treatments for wounds, skin conditions, and deworming.
Ms Van der Post has spoken publicly in the past about her work and her first encounters with animal cruelty in Egypt.
A recent post on the Good Karma Instagram page reads: ‘Dear fellow rescuers and Organisations, lawyers and connected people:
‘The everyday scene of the donkey being whipped has gone viral, the world is watching and we have been given a platform and an opportunity to reach positive changes for the future.
‘If we can stand Strong together our voices now will be heard, we can achieve a positive change for all animals in Egypt!!!!
‘I would love to have a meeting with all my fellow rescuers, I’m only the new kid on the block, but we have this amazing opportunity to bundle our strength!!!
‘There’s so many of us, some I know some I don’t, some I like others not , some who like me others who don’t, but in the end what truly matters are the animals so let’s try to put our differences apart and use this wave of media attention and make a positive thing out of this!’
Many have shared their support for Ms Van der Post in the comments section, with one person writing: ‘You’re a hero, thanks for all the work you do out there!’
