06.05.2015 | Inspection of Mundijong Animal Market

Mala, Tiermarkt Mundijong Australien
Mala, Tiermarkt Mundijong Australien
Mala, Tiermarkt Mundijong Australien

Animals’ Angels visit the small market where there is one horse and 9 pigs for sale. The are also numerous birds including poultry, ducks, and quail, native galahs and budgies along with small animals like rabbits and guinea pigs. One of the 6 week old quail we call Mala, is dead in the cage. Mala was found slumped over the water bowl, however we expect was very weak to start with and too young to be at the market. The pigs have water and are under cover. The day is not hot.

The sale is very quick but there are many problems loading the pigs. There are too many men involved and the lady who usually assists with loading animals is best left to do this alone. Most pigs are very reluctant to go up the ramp and onto the truck; the ramp is not pig friendly. The longer this takes the more stressed the pig become. Finally the lady gets the pigs onto the trailer. Although the handling is acceptable, the ramp and race is not conducive to good pig welfare.

We will talk with the owners and lessees. A compliance officer from DAFWA is present for a while, and two DAFWA Biosecurity staff remain to watch the loading.