Dogs, cats and other domestic animals have died of hunger and thirst.
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Pixabay
The bodies of more than 5,000 cats, dogs, rabbits and guinea pigs were discovered in a warehouse in Luohe (China) on September 22.
Two hundred other animals were still alive.
They were taken care of by around twenty activists from the Utopia animal rights association and then adopted or treated in veterinary clinics.
The deceased animals were victims of "asphyxiation, dehydration and hunger," said the founder of Utopia, quoted by CBS News.
Each body was in a cage, itself packed in an individual package.
Holes had been drilled there to let in air.
The animals had been left there without food or water for about a week before being discovered by members of Utopia in the shed.
The latter, described by the activist as "hell on earth", is a shipping center of the Dongxing Logistics company.
Lack of consistency in regulations
“This tragedy is the direct consequence of poor communication within the parcel delivery company and the lack of consistency in freight transport regulations,” denounces the manager of Utopia.
"Of course, sellers and buyers also have a responsibility."
Chinese law prohibits the transport of live animals in conventional commercial packaging, CBS News recalls.
The animals were in fact left in the warehouse when the logistics company that was supposed to deliver them to their buyers refused to carry out this illegal operation.
Yunda, the parcel company involved, however, said it was not kept informed of what was happening.
She nevertheless admitted accepting the transport of animals in boxes equipped with holes.
An investigation is underway.
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Animal cruelty