GUNTUR: Though it is banned in the country, donkey meat is consumed in some parts of Andhra Pradesh. The meat is sold at high prices as some believe it is a virility booster and a cure for respiratory problems.

On Monday, a special team busted 400 kg of donkey meat in Andhra Pradesh. The donkey meat was sold at Rs 700 per kg.

The operation was jointly conducted by Animal Rescue Organization, Help for Animals Society and East Godavari SP. 11 people were arrested from four places in Bapatla district for donkey meat trafficking. They were arrested in raids at two places in Usilipetta and Vetapalem and Chirala areas.

Eating donkey meat is illegal in the country under the Food Safety Act, 2006. Butchering a donkey is punishable by up to five years in prison. But donkeys are still slaughtered in different parts of the country. Recently there have been reports that there has been a huge decrease in the number of donkeys in the country due to illegal slaughter. Guntur, Krishna and West Godavari districts of Andhra Pradesh are the major markets of donkey meat. Animals are brought here illegally from Maharashtra, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.