*** URGENT *** STOP the barbaric MURDER of live baby Goat in August Festival!!!

Please Ban Animal Sacrifice at the Khokana Festival

Dear Sir/Madam,

I respectfully call upon the Government of Nepal to ban the killing of goats at the annual Khokana Festival. During the Festival, held in August, a terrified goat is thrown into a pond and torn apart whilst still alive. The animal suffers tremendously before and during this sacrifice, including being starved and dehydrated during the transportation and often purposely killed slowly and painfully to please the goddess. This barbaric killing of goats not only contradicts animal welfare principles, but is also detrimental to the image of Nepal and its tourist industry as it sends a very negative message about the Nepalese culture. People are abhorred by such levels of cruelty towards animals and will boycott Nepal both as a tourist and via commerce. Violence and cruelty thereby alienate tourists and reduce profits from Nepal’s valuable tourism industry. Such practices are also detrimental to the people of Nepal, as brutalizing animals desensitizes the people, particularly children, to the suffering of others. Animal abuse is a well-documented precursor to violence against humans.

This practice has been carried out year after year in the name of tradition. Religion and tradition never justify outright torture. Nepal has already acknowledged the adverse effects and abolished a number of traditions, including human sacrifice and widow burning. Some ceremonies in Nepal feature animals skinned alive and even shredded by human teeth. The torture is so extraordinary that some animals die from shock. Religious leaders have proposed fruits and vegetables to substitute animal offerings. It is high time that the government introduces a ban on animal sacrifice and promotes a non-violent culture in Nepal.

Blood rituals have no place in the 21st century or in a civilised society and should be banned immediately. Please put an end to the barbaric killing of goats at the Khokana Festival. Furthermore, I urge the Nepalese government to enact and enforce an Animal Welfare Law that shields animals from all forms of abuse, including ritual sacrifice.

Sincerely,

[Your name]

PETITION LINK: https://www.change.org/petitions/live-goat-to-be-ripped-apart-in-nepal