Animals’ Angels visit the saleyard where approx 7000 sheep and 550 cattle are for sale. The vast majority of animals are in good condition and seem quiet/calm. However a number of cattle in selling pens are arguably emaciated, at least 5 could be assessed as presenting with body condition score 1. Regardless of their condition, these cows are sold, and we are told they will be inspected by a veterinarian at the cost of the agent.
We also find one bull with a broken horn; the break which is about 1.5cms from the base of the skull has exposed approx 3cm of tissue and is bleeding. A ewe gives birth to a small lamb in front of us; a saleyard staff member moves her and gently carries her newborn to a pen out of the way of the other sheep. She and her baby will remain under shelter at the yard with feed and water until the lamb is strong enough to transport. This time together also means they have the opportunity to bond. In a pen holding approx 30 sheep who are destined to be pet food, we identify one which has pink twine wrapped tightly around its back left foot, the lower foot is swollen and the sheep is unable to bear weight on it. The animal should not have been sent to the yard in the first instance but was, however the sheep should have been identified upon arrival as requiring immediate euthanasia because it is unfit to transport. It is shot about 15 minutes later.
The yard is experimenting with troughs to identify which ones are the most suitable. These troughs have been installed in a small number of pens and the yard plans on monitoring sheep behaviours to measure success. We discuss at length systems, policy and procedures with the new CEO who is very supportive of establishing ways to measure welfare at the yard.
