Video: Dutch woman attacks man in Egypt for whipping a donkey
A Dutch woman has sparked a debate about animal welfare in Egypt after she attacked a man who was whipping a donkey at the pyramids on the outskirts of Cairo. Video of the incident was widely shared on social media in the country.
The incident happened on Wednesday in Nazlet El-Semman, near the pyramids of Giza, NOS reports. The video shows a man repeatedly hitting a donkey with a whip. The Dutch woman appears on screen and attacks the man, continuing even as he runs away.
The woman in question is Joke van der Post, a 47-year-old Dutch woman who has lived in the area for years. She runs a veterinary clinic that treats donkeys and horses used for tourists. Every day the clinic treats between 15 and 50 animals with saddle sores, wounds, broken legs, and other injuries, she told NOS.
According to Van der Post, animal abuse is commonplace in the area. “Of course I jumped in between them,” she said about stopping the whipping. “When I shouted to stop, I was called a whore and the man laughed and then hit harder.” So she physically intervened.
Van der Post was arrested on Wednesday and released from custody on Saturday, but she still has to stand trial. According to the woman, she is probably facing six to 12 months in prison or deportation. “But if that means that something finally changes here, it was worth it.”
According to the broadcaster, many locals have expressed support and thanks to Van der Post online.
