Egyptian TV show sparks outrage over using live animals in cruel pranks

https://youtube.com/watch?v=7dMTkmkti14%3Fversion%3D3%26rel%3D1%26fs%3D1%26autohide%3D2%26showsearch%3D0%26showinfo%3D1%26iv_load_policy%3D1%26wmode%3Dtransparent

*WARNING: Contains sensitive content*

Egyptian reality TV show Mahadesh Fahem Haga has sparked outrage after stars used live animals in cruel ‘pranks’.

Footage of the Egyptian series – hosted by Mohamed Tharwat – was shared by PETA Asia, to highlight the awful treatment animals suffered in front of cameras.

One clip exposed the moment a man shoved a donkey to the floor in the middle of what appeared to be an empty shop.

While another video showed a struggling monkey being dangled from a chain on his neck, and swung around.

A man was also seen throwing an injured duck at two other people during an argument, and leaving the struggling animal on the floor.

‘Animals are thinking, feeling beings who experience fear and pain,’ a subtitle read on the video read. ‘Not props to be thrown around for a TV show.

‘Any time you see an animal exploited for film or TV, report it to PETA right away.’

A PETA spokesperson confirmed the organisation have requested action be taken from Egyptian TV network MBC.

‘This morning, PETA and the Society for the Protection of Animal Rights in Egypt (SPARE) sent an urgent letter to Egyptian TV network MBC Group urging it to end the use of animals in Mohamed Tharwat’s Ramadan TV special, the prank show,’ Daily Mail states they said in a statement.

‘As you can see in the video, the show uses violence against animals: A monkey was held and dangled by a chain around his neck, a donkey was slapped in the face, a dog was deliberately frightened by a fake electrical explosion, and ducks were violently thrown, among other incidents.

‘Not only are these pranks cruel to animals, some may also violate Egypt’s Penal Code, which states that “any major harm [to animals] shall be punished by a jail sentence that does not exceed 6 months or by a fine that will not exceed 200 LE”.

‘All over the world, animals who are exploited in the film and television industries are subjected to stress caused by bright lights, loud noises, and forced contact with humans. 

‘They spend much of their lives confined, are hauled from one production to another, and often endure horrific conditions off the set.’

While PETA UK Director Elisa Allen told Metro.co.uk: ‘Making sensitive, intelligent animals suffer for a cheap laugh is deplorable. 

‘MBC must listen to its viewers’ outrage and keep animals off the set.’

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