News & Media: Sheep 'brutally' slaughtered in Vic shed
Sheep 'brutally' slaughtered in Vic shed
Distressing footage of sheep being slaughtered in a Victorian shed has sparked investigations into claims of animal cruelty.
The 20-minute video shows conscious sheep being put upside down on metal cradles, their legs tied and their heads hanging over buckets to catch blood as their throats are cut.
A peacock wanders in while one sheep lays on the cradle and at another point two cats are seen in the slaughter area.
A man also smokes and a young boy is present during the killings.
Victorian Animal Justice Party MP Andy Meddick has complained to the state's meat industry regulator Primesafe, which is investigating after the undercover footage was captured at the Koo Wee Rup facility, southeast of Melbourne.
"We don't know how many of these brutal and unsanitary illegal slaughterhouses operate in and around Melbourne," Mr Meddick said in a statement on Friday.
The property in question has not been identified.
Mr Meddick was handed the footage after an anonymous source provided it to vegan activists.
The animal rights group Aussie Farms previously came under fire for publishing the details and addresses of meat, dairy and egg farms across the country.
Agriculture Victoria and PrimeSafe are investigating the latest slaughterhouse allegations.
PrimeSafe will be the responsible agency if it is found the meat is being sold.
But if the sheep are being killed on farm for personal consumption, Agriculture Victoria may take action for animal cruelty reasons, it is understood.
"All meat produced for human consumption and sale in Australia is required to come from livestock that are slaughtered at a licensed abattoir where compliance with Australian standards for food safety, and animal welfare are monitored by government regulators," PrimeSafe said in a statement.
"Victoria currently has 16 domestic and 23 export red meat abattoirs spread across the State.
"Farmers or community groups interested in having livestock slaughtered for sale for human consumption, or hygienically for their own use should contact an abattoir."
