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

02.10.2008 | Australien | Port of Fremantle West Australia 
Animals’ Angels inspector documents the transport of app. 17100 sheep on 28 transports on the 2nd day of loading to the live export ship; Becrux headed for the Middle East. We observed the usual problems of lack of head room, eye infections, cancers, inconsistent numbers of animals in pens, overloading of some pens, sheep with long sharp horns and sheep who cannot stand because there is no room. The regulators are failing to ensure the export standards are complied with by exporters at both feedlot and in transport and animals are arriving at the port when they should not be. These animals could in all probability be loaded and sent to the destination even though they are not fit for live export. AQIS do not inspect the animals in the feedlot, they expect the exporter to self regulate- and this is a different system than the other states whereby the inspectors inspect the animals BEFORE they arrive at the port. And because AQIS are not consistently at the port to inspect, again the export industry self regulate. Our substantiated documentation shows the live export industry is not capable of self regulation. We also observe a man using an electrical shock prodder as often as he could on moving sheep.

02.10.2008 | Australien | Fremantle West Australia 
Animals’ Angels inspector meets with 6 graduates from the Federal Government Dept of Agriculture to discuss the adequacy of inspection of animals within live export. We talk about the general lack of any enforcement of the animal welfare sections in the export regulations from source to feedlot, the reluctance of AQIS to enforce animal welfare requirements from feedlot to portside as AQIS state this is responsibility of the state govt, the ability of AQIS inspectors to be selective about enforcement of Australia’s regulations rather than enforcing all of the regulations because that is their job, the lack of consistent presence of AQIS portside which, unacceptably leaves the industry to self regulate and the urgent need for state animal welfare inspectors to be appointed. We also touch on the total lack of mandatory training promoting respectful handling and transport of animals for all involved in the livestock industry. Because Australia has no national recording system, transportation of animals is uncontrolled therefore cannot be audited. Although it is claimed Australia has high standards this is nothing more than a PR exercise because it cannot be substanciated.

29.09.2008 | Australien | Port of Fremantle West Australia 
Animals’ Angels inspector observes and documents the transport of app.13500 sheep and 200 cattle on 27 transports to the live export ship; Merino Express (was Cormo Express) headed for the Middle East. 6 people from Federal Ag Dept in Canberra are due to watch the loading so AQIS is very busy making sure everyone is on their best behaviour and is seen doing what he thinks is right. Advanced warnings do not present a true picture of the activities portside. A govt inspector arrives even though today is a public holiday. He stays for a two or so hours and we applaud his commitment to ensuring the state Govt enacts their responsibility to animal welfare. We observe dogs in crates next to sheep, overloading, eye problems, lack of height for the sheep to stand naturally, sharp uncut horns, high density of animals and inconsistent numbers in the pens – all of these issues are not permitted in the export regulations but are regular occurances as the Federal inspectors responsible for export standards are selective in what regulations they would like to enforce. 4 downer cattle are also observed.

02.09.2008 - 04.09.2008 | Australien | AAWS08 International Animal Welfare Conference, Conrad Jupiters, Gold Coast, QLD, 
Animals’ Angels investigator attends three days of conference. Conference attended by: government, regulators, industry and welfare groups and included international speakers. Government set the theme of ‘a new era of transparency, consultation and communication between all stakeholders regarding animal welfare’. Wide variety of presentations, but insufficient question time. Some interesting differences between the European and U.S. approaches to welfare and Australia’s, and some suggestions on new ways of thinking about welfare. Emphasis on conscientious consumers and retail policy as a driver of welfare improvements. Industry acknowledges that changes must be made, but still a lack of clarity about who will assist with, monitor and finance those changes. However, some hopeful signs that industry is recognising the need for humane handling education, welfare benchmarks, and need to keep consumers aware of welfare improvements etc. Welfare groups impatient with the current ‘snails pace’ of animal welfare improvements and frustrated by their past efforts to engage with government ministers on welfare issues. This event exposed all stakeholders to views outside of their own ‘comfort zone’. Non industry stakeholders must assert their entitlement to be part of a transparent, consultative process that results in action to improve animal welfare outcomes.

03.09.2008 | Australia | Port of Fremantle West Australia 
Animals’ Angels inspector observes and documents the transport of app. 222425 sheep on 39 transports to the live export ship; MV Becrux headed for the Middle East. AQIS who enforce the Australian Stds for the Export of Livestock; the rules for exporting live animals are not present so there is no one to check for compliance to Federal regulations. Even with the thousands of animals transported to the ship, there is not a govt inspector present at all times. There is a lack of commitment to ensuring compliance to legislation. We observe downers, blind sheep, sheep with eye infections, many sheep with extensive shearing cuts, long wool, sheep unable to stand naturally for lack of head room, uncut sharp horns and horned with unhorned penned together. Two incidents of lose sheep are noted. Reasonable handling is observed.

25.08.2008 | Australia | Toowoomba Landmark saleyard 
Animals’ Angels inspector visits Toowoomba Landmark Saleyard and finds only cattle. Animals in generally good condition, with no evidence of sick or injured animals or overpenning. Drafting is fairly calm and loading of large trucks is ok. Some electric prodders used during loading and plastic pipes used on one truck but only to make a noise by hitting the side of pens during loading. Yard staff here seem friendly and appreciate that we always inform them when we are here.

25.08.2008 | Australia | Toowoomba Qld 
Animals’ Angels inspector visits Toowoomba Elders Saleyard and finds: pigs, calves and cattle. Some general improvements including some new signage reminding buyers and sellers of their Duty of Care under the Animal Care and Protection Act. However, there are still issues that need improvement. These include: - The Duty of Care requires saleyards to respond swiftly to unfit animals at the yard. There needs to be clear policy guidelines and procedures to deal with this. - Animal welfare must be a component of any training program or induction for employees, or for new contract workers in the yards. - Yard needs assistance/support to implement animal welfare regulation. Educational materials and workshops may be relevant here. Particular concern over how to reach older, long term employees.

17.08.2008 | Australia | Port of Fremantle West Australia 
Animals’ Angels inspector observes and documents the transport of app. 29820 sheep on 53 transports to the live export ship; Merino Express; headed for the Middle East. Being a Sunday, the West Aust state govt Animal Welfare Unit inspector is present only for a short period and AQIS; who have responsibility to enforce the export standards are not contactable. The many drivers who arrive, not complying with state legislation, the CoP or Federal export standards appear to have never been informed, are unaware or don’t care about the legislative animal welfare requirements for both transport and export animals. This also indicates the lack of enforcement by Federal Govt of the export regulations at both source and at the feedlot. We observe blind sheep, sheep with eye infections, many sheep with extensive shearing cuts, long wool, sheep unable to stand naturally for lack of head room and very poor penning so that sheep were on top of sheep - the ones underneath unable to stand, uncut sharp horns, horned with unhorned penned together and excessive use of the electric prodder on sheep by a driver and a stevedore worker in two separate incidents.

14.08.2008 | Australia| Toowoomba Qld. 
Animals’ Angels inspector attended meeting with Manager of Queensland Rail livestock transport department. We discussed rail transport; Queensland Rail’s stock handling guidelines and responses to welfare issues at various stages within the transport chain.

22.07.2008 | Australia | Fremantle Magistrates Court WA
Animals' Angels inspector for Western Australia was a witness for the prosecution in a case of animal cruelty brought against truck driver, Gregory Keith Dawson. Dawson was found guilty of violently throwing three sheep, dragging a sheep by the leg and electrically shock prodding a sheep on the face. At the time of the attacks, he was unloading the sheep at the live export carrier MV Bader at the Port of Fremantle. The driver was fined $2,500 plus costs, banned for one year from contact with sheep and cattle and was refused a request for a “spent conviction” (hidden conviction).
 
Animals' Angels find it disturbing that Dawson’s defense was that what he did was representative of the whole industry and that drivers treat animals in the same manner as he had because that’s the way it is done.
 
This is the first cruelty case focusing on animal handling in Western Australia and as a precedent, is extremely important. The process of bringing a prosecution to court faces many hurdles and as such, we are delighted that this one achieved a successful outcome.
 
The case highlights the desperate need for the training of drivers and other animal handlers. These people are expected to be aware of, and understand the legislation and guidelines but are not trained in how to handle animals- particularly in the low stress methods. The lack of training also perpetrates the culture of “they are only animals” with little respect for the wellbeing and safety of the animals they are supposedly responsible for.
 
We are hopeful that this successful cruelty case will send a clear message to those within industry that throwing sheep or electrically shock prodding sheep in the face is totally unacceptable and that cruelty is not necessary nor can it be tolerated.

08.07.2008 | Australia | Midland saleyard Perth WA 
 
Animals’ Angels inspector attends the launch of the Animal Welfare Standards for Western Australian Saleyards with speeches given by the Federal Ag Minister and State Ag Minister. It is anticipated that the ‘standards’ will be implemented at the new Muchea yards which will replace Midland and although the standards will not be legally enforceable unless the WA state government adopts the saleyard standards into legislation, it is, nevertheless, expected that ALL saleyards in WA will conform to the voluntary requirements of the standards which include water in every sale pen for all animals. The speeches given firmly reiterated that animal welfare is a priority and while the people were enjoying a drink and food we didn’t see one animal welfare inspector actually in the yard looking at the animals and watching their penning, handling and loading that day. Upon leaving we see a two trailer truck crammed with sheep, the second trailer with so many inside they were on top of each other. We telephone for an inspector but there was only a message bank available. Words are cheap. We want to see action.

04.07.2008 - 05.07.2008 | Australia | Port of Fremantle WA
Animals’ Angels inspector observes and documents the transport of app.19650 sheep and app. 950 cattle as they arrive for loading onto the live export ship: Bader. Some sheep are transported over 3 hours from a feedlot in Kojonup. We observed shearing cuts, lack of head room in the trucks for sheep, eye irritations, inconsistent penning in some trucks and horned and unhorned sheep penned together. One steer is down in a truck but we cannot tell if he is unable to rise. We call the AQIS inspector who informs us that the animal is okay. On day 2, a sheep is running around the port area. We are told he was caught at the end of the loading process. There are no West Aust government AWU general inspectors at the port on either loading days, to ensure the welfare of the animals.

02.07.2008 | Australia| Mundijong Saleyard, West Australia 
Animals’ Angels inspector visits this small yard where 28 sheep and 2 young lambs, 4 young steers, one companion goat-‘Basil’ several poultry and 4 rabbits are for sale. All the animals are in okay to good condition. Many butchers who home kill buy from this market so Animals’ Angels are very happy that we found Basil a home at the very last minute. Sadly we could not find homes for the other animals at this sale. We do not see any poor handling. The Animal Welfare inspectors are not present.

10.06.2008 | Australia | Midland saleyard, Midland
Angels inspector visits saleyard where 30 or so cattle remain waiting for collection, from the sale the day before and 25000 sheep have been penned for sale. There are 12 sheep declared as being of ‘no commercial value’ and because they are not fit for sale the ‘pet food’ man will collect them so long as they are fit for transport. Two are not able to put all their weight on all 4 legs so they will be shot today. Animals’ Angels discover one sheep dead where it fell in the sale pen, and two collapsed ewes in a laneway- and another collapsed ewe in sale pen not far away. All three have the same ear tags so come from the same farm, all are heavily pregnant – in their last month, and are starting to birth. Because vets are not present at the saleyards, and it is assumed that the ewes have pregnancy toxaemia, the decision is made to shoot them. Often sheep suffering from advanced pregnancy toxaemia which can be induced by stresses including transport yarding, cessation of food and water collapse and die. Feed and water is not provided in the salepens so the animals go without and in Australia there is no legal obligation to record when animals are last fed or watered. Hours or days may pass before animals get feed and water and provision is reliant upon one person remembering or caring enough to tell another. If the lambs are born after the mums are shot, and they look like they will survive, the yard will send them to a carer but if the newborns look like they will die, the saleyard will kill them. As we are led away, we hear the shots ending the lives of Ruth, Anna and Sally. We have written to the yard asking: what happened to the lambs, if the emergency slaughterman was fully trained to kill the animals, why the driver who collected the pen mates of the three girls did not notify the saleyard that 3 had collapsed and to get help immediately, how many other heavily pregnant sheep were transported to and from the yards, if the farmer will be notified of the non compliance to the Code of Practice and breach of the WA Animal Welfare Act and if the authorities will be notified so an investigation can take place. There were another 4 lambs also born at this yard and we have concerns that because the contractor responsible for penning the animals before sale puts too many into each pen, the mothers may abandon their lambs and they may be trampled so we also asked the yard manager to look closely at this issue and direct (if he can) the contractor to pen less and comply with the Code of Practice for saleyards. The yard has installed a few new rails and gates as a trial for their new yard which is being built. They appear to work well to keep the flow moving which reduces confusion and panic in the animals. These types of gates will be a positive step in welfare at the new Muchea yards.

01.06.2008 | Australia | Port of Fremantle
Animals’ Angels observe and document the transport of 18240 sheep in 32 transports to the live export ship; Al Messilah. This ship arrived from Portland Victoria with sheep already on board and will load more sheep for Bahrain. There are no West Aust government AWU general inspectors at the port to ensure the welfare of the animals. It is Sunday and no one is available in government to take any calls. We call the AQIS inspector and inform him of issues such as sheep sitting and laying on other sheep when there is room in the truck to spread the animals out more, lack of height for sheep to stand without hitting their heads or backs on the roof, sheep with extensive shearing cuts, sheep with eye problems, possible downer and blind sheep on the trucks. We also ask him to watch a person who uses an electrical shock prodder in many sheep when the electrical shock prodder should only be used “sparingly”.

29.05.2008 - 30.05.2008 | Australia | Gracemere saleyard complex, QLD
Animals’ Angels inspector delivers powerpoint presentation on welfare challenges and suggested solutions for Australian saleyards. Many discussions are held between inspector and various industry representatives. Ideas on welfare from industry representatives will be followed up in the ensuing months. This event represented a valuable opportunity to initiate respectful dialogue with industry on key welfare issues.

23.04.2008 | Australia | DPI building, Brisbane, Queensland
Animals’ Angels inspector attends an information session for development of Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for the Land Transport of Livestock. Held by the state regulator, the Dept of Primary Industries, this is an opportunity to meet key industry people and other animal protection representatives and contribute comments regarding current problems in this area of animal welfare regulation. It is also an opportunity to hear from the regulator and from industry about their strategies for implementing the proposed new standards. We will continue to develop a rapport with some of the people met today. 

03.04.2008 | Australia | Port of Fremantle WA
Animals’ Angels observe and document the transport of 26310 sheep and approx 80 cattle to the live export ship; Merino Express. This ship is destined for Saudi Arabia. Again there are no government AWU general inspectors at the port and although we observed downers, lack of pen gates fastened which causes surging of sheep so they land on top of each other, eye problems, lack of head room, and long horns there was no one from Government to help the animals. We submit a verbal complaint to both the Minister for Local Government who is responsible for the Animal Welfare Unit and the lack of money to keep the inspectors operating and also to the office of the Premier of Western Australia. We believe there is enough money but that the Government doesn’t think animal welfare is important enough.

26.03.2008 | Australia | Warwick Market Saleyard
Animals‘ Angels Inspector visits Warwick Market saleyard to coordinate a poultry talk given by an experienced poultry consultant. This talk has been organised to help market patrons/staff/regulatory inspectors understand what they need to do to meet their animal welfare obligations under the Codes of Practice for poultry and to avoid committing cruelty offences or breaches of duty of care under the legislation. Approximately 25-30 people attend the talk, ask questions and take information handouts. The consultant also highlights his major poultry concerns to the market management. The consultant will attempt to source some cages which can be installed in the market to solve many of the current welfare issues. In addition, the consultant will phone the manager of the animal welfare regulator to raise concerns about enforcement problems. I will follow this matter up over the next few weeks.

25.03.2008 | Australia | Port of Fremantle WA
Animals’ Angels observe and document the transport of 23600 sheep to the live export ship; Al Kuwait. The sheep are headed to the Middle East. No West Aust state govt Animal Welfare Unit inspectors are present and AQIS the Federal inspectors are non contactable so there is NO enforcement of the WA animal legislation or Federal export standard regulations. Many drivers arrive who are not complying with state legislation, the CoP or Federal export standards. It seems these people have never been informed, are unaware or don’t care about the legislative animal welfare requirements.
We observe blind sheep, sheep with scabby mouth, bleeding shearing cuts, long wool, sheep unable to stand naturally for lack of head room and very poor penning so that sheep were on top of sheep - the ones underneath unable to stand.

11.03.2008 | Australia | Bedfordale, WA1
Driving home from a police training/information course in Katanning, Animals’ Angels inspector sees the head of one sheep on one side and the leg of another sheep on the other side sticking outside of the truck. Both sheep try to pull their body parts into the truck, but it seems they are unable to. The truck is transporting sheep to the Port of Fremantle, for loading onto the Bader. While we follow the driver has three opportunities to stop at truck stops but doesnt do so. We call the Animal Welfare Unit and ask that they check the truck at the port to assist the stuck animals and also for compliance to state and federal legislation.

11.02.2008 | Australia | Eumundi Saleyard- Qld
Animals’ Angels inspector’s first visit to Boxsells Eumundi saleyard and we are surprised by how the animals at this yard seem wilder and less familiar with people than cattle at other yards. No rough handling or serious animal injuries; but lots of yelling at the animals, overcrowding of calves and one incident of chaotic loading. Management seem wary of us and the general mood is more suspicious towards outsiders. Comments made by the workers suggest there may be an issue with injured animals being brought to the yard. There are a lot of slaughterhouse buyers here. We will continue to build rapport with this yard and promote educational materials to help address existing issues.

30.01.2008 | Australia | Eucla, border West - South Australia
Animals’ Angels inspectors trail a routine sheep transport from Eucla to Port Augusta in South Australia. The transporter loaded the young ewes in Darkan West Australia with around 800 ewes destined for a farm in Victoria. A distance of 3300 Ks. When we met with him the sheep had been on the truck for 24 hours but looked in okay condition. They had room to move and some could lay down if they wish- but not all at the same time. The animals had been fed, watered and rested for 24 hours before being transported and this makes a huge difference to their ability to endure long distance transport. It is clear to us those animals for slaughter are definitely not given the same consideration of water and feed as that of ‘breeding’ animals.

28.01.2008 - 30.01.2008 | Australien | Metro Velda Slaughterhouse Peterborough
Animals’ Angels inspectors are given access to the slaughterhouse where ‘ex’ pet horses, wild Australian Brumbies or camels are slaughtered for human consumption in overseas markets. The holding facility outside for the horses is old but most is covered. On the ground we see a downer horse which we think is dead because her lips are peeled back exposing her teeth. However on close inspection we realise she is still alive- just breathing and the person escorting us around also realises and arranges for the horse to be killed. About 5 minutes later when we get back to the same area she is gone. Hundreds of animals are transported every month on very long journeys. Many like the wild Brumbies are rounded up in the Northern Territory, loaded onto trucks then transported over 2 days without any feed and water supply in hot temperatures to the slaughterhouse. Wild animals such as horses do not travel well usually throwing themselves against the sides of the truck in panic as they are unused to confinement so for these animals this transport is even more traumatic. We wait for a truck load of brumbies but we think they have been delayed on purpose so that we are unable to see if they are in bad condition, sick or injured that they cannot walk off the truck.

23.01.2008 - 25.01.2008 | Australia | Trailing from Katanning Saleyard
Animals’ Angels inspectors trail a routine sheep transport from Katanning saleyard in West Australia to a feedlot near Adelaide in South Australia. The sheep destined for slaughter were sourced perhaps from a farm, transported to the saleyard, sold at a saleyard, then loaded and transported again; all without water and feed-a process we believe would have been of over 74 hours. In WA the animals should not be transported for more than 30 hours without water according to the WA Code of Practice.  The journey time alone was 52 hours. There are also problems with differences in WA law and South Australian law which allow different transport/water deprivation times. The WA driver was reluctant to assist two downer sheep and it appears clear it was these two who died along with some other sheep because of the journey. Luckily the Police arrived while the driver parked at the border for 6 ½ hours- the sheep standing in the hot transport crate without much air flow. The Police were excellent help and made sure the dying sheep was killed efficiently as possible. Only 1 driver at a time transports the animals, which is of great concern especially if there is an accident. During the WA border to Adelaide-SA period the SA driver was very ill and asked Animals’ Angels to get him an ambulance then take care of the sheep and dogs while he went to hospital. This delay put extra pressure on the already stressed animals. We will be taking our full investigation to the proper authorities.

22.01.2008 | Australia | Trailing from Midland Saleyard, WA 
 Animals’ Angels inspectors trail a truck from Midland to just north of Albany in the south west of the state. The truck is transporting sheep for nearly 5 hours to a slaughterhouse which exports the meat overseas.

21.12.2007 | Australia | Port of Fremantle: Merino Express
Animals’ Angels team observe and take notes and photos of 35 transports taking approx 17850 sheep and 210 cattle to the Port of Fremantle for live export to the Middle East aboard the Merino Express. This ship is already carrying sheep and cattle loaded in Victoria Aust. It seems as this is the last export of live animals for the year many of the transporters do not see the need to comply with mandatory Federal regulations in transport for sheep. Govt inspectors not available this afternoon and unable to contact AQIS so a message is left. Later AQIS arrives although no transport inspections are performed. They watch the sheep actually going into the ship rather than look for welfare compliance. Some poor handling was observed.

20.11.2007 | Australia | Port of Fremantle, Al Shuwaikh
Animals’ Angels inspector observes and documents the transport and handling of sheep at the Port of Fremantle for loading aboard both the Al Shuwaikh destined for Oman. 26 transports bring approx 14780 sheep and lambs for live export. We observe excessive use of an electrical shock prodder which is against the live export regulations but no official is present to stop the man. An official complaint will be laid. One downer in transport and another sheep sitting on the head of another sheep was documented. The drivers are asked to get the sheep up which they do after they park.