Too Heavy to Bear:Animals Used in India’s High-Rise Construction Industry
Imagine for a moment being forced to carry endless, heavy loads of bricks, sand, gravel and other construction materials up multiple flights of stairs every day. The work is gruelling and hazardous. The environment consists of slippery stairs, loose debris and uneven ground. You are given no rest, no fresh water, and face a constant risk of falling or being seriously injured.
This is the brutal reality for many donkeys and small ponies in India, who are forced to help with the construction of high-rise buildings on the outskirts of cities. The loads they carry are too heavy for their size and strength, causing physical exhaustion and increasing the risk of muscle sprains, joint damage, and back and spine issues. They must carry these extremely heavy loads up ten or more flights of stairs, dozens of times over each day.
The work environment is incredibly unsuitable for these animals, creating significant welfare and safety concerns. Construction sites are inherently dangerous, and donkeys and ponies are not adapted to work on uneven terrain and slippery surfaces with loose stones or sharp objects underfoot. Since overloading is so common, it is difficult for the donkeys and ponies to walk safely at all.
Due to the high-risk nature of this work, accidents and injuries unfortunately occur regularly. Donkeys and ponies used on construction sites often experience:
Falls due to slipping on loose stones, dust or mud.
Falling backwards or sideways due to overloading.
Leg and joint injuries caused by sprains from uneven steps.
Chronic joint pain from repetitive strain.
Back and spinal damage due to heavy loads that compress the spine, pull delicate muscles and lead to long-term skeletal problems.
General cuts and bruises.
Eye injuries.
Foot injuries caused by tools, sharp stones, metal, nails or debris that can puncture sensitive hooves.
Up until now, there has been a total absence of veterinary care for these vulnerable working equines. Untended minor injuries such as cuts and bruises have developed and become more serious. Hoof damage, back problems and other injuries have been left untreated, inevitably causing terrible pain and suffering.
But this is where you come in…
Thanks to your heartfelt and generous support, these animals finally have some hope.
AAA have recently partnered with Friendicoes to set up veterinary care stands at building construction sites. Ten new stands have now been added to Friendicoes’ Working Equine Welfare Program, and are located across Noida, Delhi, Gurgaon and Loni. So far, the stands have benefitted approximately 700 working equines and are improving their conditions and treatment.
Extending our funding into this area of construction sites has given the Friendicoes team the capacity to provide proper veterinary care, monitor and support welfare, and rescue any injured or distressed animals. This expansion marks an important step in improving the safety and wellbeing of equines forced to work in this heartbreaking setting.
Friendicoes have now made it clear to all owners that if any animal is unfit, injured or unable to work, they must not be used for carrying building materials. Any animals unfit for work can be surrendered to Friendicoes so they receive proper care, attention and rest.
Due to your compassion, donkeys and ponies working in India’s high-rise construction industry are no longer being overlooked or forced to work in pain. With your kind donations, they will receive essential treatment for injuries and wounds, critical care following traumatic falls, and have their fundamental welfare needs met.
Together, we are bringing hope and healing to these hard-working animals by alleviating their suffering, providing relief from pain, improving the overall quality of their lives, and ensuring their plight is never forgotten again.