Animals\' Angels - wir sind bei den Tieren | we are there with the animals

ANIMALS’ ANGELS attends the market on a Sunday at which at least 60 horses are for sale. All horses are in acceptable condition, we were told many having been transported over 3000kms from Victoria. The handling of animals while we were there was also acceptable. The sale is primarily for buyers of horses for shows, polo, and general riding. There are some however that are not bought and it is possible that they may either go to slaughter at a local pet food knackery or be transported to Peterborough in South Australia for slaughter, whereby the meat is exported for human consumption. There were also 6 poultry in 3 cages. All had water and the cages were adequate in size. The state Animal Welfare Unit inspectors were not present.

For sale are rabbits, a guinea pig, assorted birds (finches etc), poultry hens, ducks and roosters. There are approx. 3 ducks in each of 3 supermarket shopping trolleys under the table. In the other section there are approx 8 boxes of birds on the ground – including ducks. The 8 shorn sheep in the unshaded pens have water but all are panting, as are the 3 goats. One of the sheep looked skinny and may need worming treatment. The 11 calves are under cover and in acceptable condition. Up to 80% of the birds are without water in their cages. If they had been given water it had either been consumed or spilt leaving them with nothing. The guinea pig had no water and no container. Water from 6 x 2.2 litre bottles is given to the birds and guinea pig. A large white chicken is unable to stand because the box is too small and in another box-too small for the 8 poultry it holds, a bird is on its side while her mates walk over her. The bird is helped to stand and after the container is filled she tried to drink, but is unable to stand without help. Again the birds walk over her. A call is made to the Animal Welfare Unit Inspectors but they cannot attend so there is no one with authority to take action and prevent suffering. It appears animal welfare is not a priority for the State Government.

Animals’ Angels meet with representatives from the agricultural dept in the hope that they will be able to offer advice to the owners of the market on how to improve the level of welfare for poultry. The conditions for the poultry are much better today but many still don’t have water and some birds are in boxes which are too small. For sale are 6 rabbits, 2 guinea pigs, many small birds, 5 calves and 20 sheep plus 2 small lambs who are still with their mum. The state Animal Welfare Inspectors were not in attendance. Animals’ Angels were informed by the government that animal welfare is not a priority.

ANIMALS' ANGELS visits this yard for the 3rd time. Busy day with cattle, calves and pigs for sale. Animals generally in good condition. Council and yard management express commitment towards ongoing welfare improvements and have recently produced a mobile loading ramp which can be used by non confident drivers, and is especially good for loading smaller animals. Pigs don’t have water at this yard yet (or backing board for moving pigs). Electric shock prodders used in loading but not in undercover area.

Animals’ Angels investigators at the Wild Horse and Burro Sale in Seguin, TX found the equine in good condition and their treatment acceptable. Handling was calm and water easily accessible. Approximately 80 horses from Nevada, New Mexico, Wyoming and Oklahoma were separated by mares, yearlings and geldings in eight pens. Not all equine were sold. Investigators did not observe any suspicious buyers or anyone buying a large number of horses.

Animals’ Angels observes app.11250 sheep being delivered on 67 transports to the Maysora for live export to the Middle East for slaughter (without pre-stunning). We observe and document a large number of sheep with possible eye infections. AQIS who are responsible for ensuring compliance to health requirements of the Australian export regulations do not appear to be present. While unloading their trucks, 2 drivers continually use the electrical shock prodder on the sheep. Electrical shock prodders are routinely used when handling sheep especially during the unloading or loading process. Despite Australia being a supporting member of the OIE, and even though 2 OIE directives stipulate “Electric goads and prods should only be used in extreme cases and not on a routine basis to move animals.“ and “Such instruments should not be used on horses, sheep and goats of any age, or on calves or piglets.” Australia continues to support the use of the electrical shock prodder on sheep and older lambs. The State Animal Welfare Unit inspectors who are responsible for the animal welfare legislation within WA are not here today and have not attended the port to check on the welfare of sheep or cattle for live export for many months.

For the second time Animals’ Angels speaks to students in the mandatory course “animal welfare.” The presentation begun the previous week is continued and today the students again have many questions and a good discussion results. There is also some critiquing and ideas to increase the university students’ interest regarding the ongoing exhibition “Veterinarian wanted!” Animals’ Angels is pleased about the cooperation and expresses thanks for the invitation.

For sale at the market are 2 young steers, 6 calves, 25 sheep, 2 alpacas, I very young goat and several birds, rabbits, poultry and native birds. The weather is cooler today and although the steers, sheep and alpacas are in the sun, they are okay. The calves are all in good condition as is the goat but many of the poultry are without water and some have eye infections. Animals’ Angels arranges for a box with 5 hens to be changed to a bigger box to give the birds room. The market allows poultry and birds to be sold in the boxes they are transported in and often the boxes are too small. This is because there is no control over what birds are bought to the market, their health conditions or what boxes they use to transport and exhibit them. There is also a failure to ensure all birds are given water and space. With this inability to show compliance with the Saleyard Code of Practice, the welfare of the birds is compromised. Animals’ Angels secure a good home for the goat, but sadly we cannot help the other animals for sale. The state Animal Welfare Inspectors were not in attendance. ANIMALS' ANGELS were informed by the government that animal welfare is not a priority.

ANIMALS’ ANGELS investigators found fewer horses at auction than usual and none that were emaciated or injured. Known “kill buyers” Bruce Rotz and Frank Carper from Camelot Auction were buying horses. However, among the “dairy”cows being sold for slaughter was a Holstein with a severe injury to the hind foot and leg. The cow was unable to bear weight on the leg and was in obvious pain. The condition of this cow should have prevented employees from accepting her. Conditions for the cow were going to get a lot worse. In the experience of ANIMALS’ ANGELS investigators, once auctioned a cow in her condition would very likely be trampled to death during transport. Investigators contacted the humane officer and the auction manager, recommending that the suffering animal be euthanized, which was done immediately. The incident shows the need for better supervision of employees during unloading, as well as the need for the auction veterinarian to be more proactive in the timely euthanization of suffering animals. ANIMALS’ ANGELS is working to determine who brought the cow in such deplorable condition to market and the information about the incident has been forwarded to the District Attorney.

Over 6 hours Animals’ Angels observes app. 15660 sheep being delivered on 23 transports to the Al Kuwait for live export to the Middle East for slaughter (without pre-stunning). The ship arrived from Portland Victoria, already partly loaded with sheep. We are informed that all drivers have been told to check all animals on their trucks when they park inside the port area, but only 1 was observed doing this. Another 2 drivers were observed checking the animals on the lowest deck and one of these drivers used an electrical shock prodder to poke inside the crate. Some trucks had big sheep forced into pens which are not built for such animals, and we document eye infections, many sheep with possible cancer of the tail and significant shearing cuts. Apparently all drivers have been told to keep their dogs out of the crate when loaded with sheep and we did not see any dogs in the loads pace. The State Animal Welfare Unit inspectors who are responsible for enforcing the animal welfare legislation and prevention of cruelty are not in attendance. Both are on annual leave, so there was no person to contact if there is an immediate animal welfare problem at the port. The Animal Welfare Unit has one Animal Welfare Inspector and a Unit Manager remaining from an original team of 6 Inspectors and a manager. The ASEL (regulations governing live export) was not being enforced as AQIS was not present. There was no government authority at the port to monitor activities and prevent cruelty.