Calves hanging head-down from trees, throat half split open. Animals squirming in blood and dust. Unscrupulous people skinning nearly live animals, barbaric scenes hard to describe. The authorities unwilling or lacking the courage to stop these acts. Such scenes take places every Sunday in the village Galateni - Teleorman, not far from Bucharest. The makeshift animal market is known in Bucharest. The 5 a.m. train brings the clients from Bucharest to the meat market, and the 7.30 a.m. train takes them back to the Capital.

The animals are slaughtered on spot, once the seller and buyer agrees on price. The animal slaughter doesn't observe any veterinarian rules.

The village mayor knows the situation and admits the market is illegal, though sees the half full glass: the source of income for the community.

The local sanitary veterinarian authority admits the animal market is illegal, though apparently cannot do more. The local administration was fined several times, the sellers too. Meantime the Galateni market keeps running, and the illegal slaughter business - being prosperous.

August 7th, 2008:
http://www.realitatea.net/in-targul-din-galateni-animalele-sunt-sacrificate-cu-bestialitate_327196.html

Vitei atarnati de pom cu capul in jos, cu beregata taiata doar pe jumatate. Animale care agonizeaza tavalindu-se pline de sange prin tarana. Indivizi fara scrupule care jupoaie animalele aproape de vii, cu o barbarie iesita din comun. Autoritati care n-au curaj sa intervina. Toate acestea se intampla în fiecare duminica in comuna Galateni din judetul Teleorman.

De targul improvizat de langa calea ferata s-a auzit pana la Bucuresti. De altfel, vanzarea se face între doua trenuri: personalul de cinci dimineata, care aduce clienti din Capitala si cel de sapte si jumatate, care ii duce inapoi.

Nici primarul nu pare sa fie strain de ceea ce se intampla in comuna, dar vede jumatatea plina a paharului: sursa de venituri pentru localnici.

Inspectorii de la Directia Sanitar Veterinara Teleorman recunosc si ei ca targul nu este autorizat, dar n-au ce face. Au amendat de mai multe ori primaria si pe cei care vand, dar degeaba. Pana una-alta, Targul de la Galateni este în continuare deschis, iar afacerea celor care care sacrifica animalele prospera.