Australia: Visiting Muchea Saleyard

Animals’ Angels attend the yard where approx. 15000 are for sale.

The DAFWA (Dept. of Ag and Food WA) inspector is present so we both inspect each sheep. We find approx. 40 sheep who are suffering from a range of conditions such as arthritis, abscesses, lameness, or hernia. All of these sheep have been isolated and impounded into a hospital pen. Unauthorised access to the sheep is not permitted which prevents removal of the animal. We assess each sheep and DAFWA request those we decide as being unfit to transport are shot. Included in those to be shot is a sheep we name Logan. We suspect he has neurological damage because walks aimlessly and doesn’t seem to be aware of what is happening around him. Most of the sheep do not understand what is happening; they are frightened and weary but for Logan he is behaving very strangely.

CCTV cameras have been installed and record action at 2 cattle and approx. 4 sheep unloading ramps. The recordings can be reviewed during the 30days they are held.