News & Media: Laverton knackery claims links to RSPCA
Laverton knackery claims links to RSPCA
A LAVERTON knackery recently under investigation for animal cruelty by the RSPCA claimed last week it had been slaughtering horses for the RSPCA for the past 40 years.
But RSPCA spokeswoman Emma Watts denied the RSPCA had any relationship with Laverton Pet Supplies.
"Nothing comes up in our database under either Laverton knackery or pet supplies," she said.
But Anthony Sword, founder of We Were Champions, which rescued retired racehorses from knackeries, said he also believed the company destroyed horses for the RSPCA.
Mr Sword and other animal rights activists outbid knackers, including Laverton Pet Supplies, to save the lives of 15 horses at an auction in Echuca last week.
Horse buyer for the Laverton knackery George Marsh said last week he attended the auction but did not buy any horses.
When asked about the RSPCA investigation of allegations of ill treatment of horses at the knackery, he said:
"We're working with them at the moment.
"Any horses they have got, skinny horses and that, we have been doing it for 40 years."
The RSPCA investigated the knackery last year after animal rights group Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses filmed knackery workers ill-treating horses while killing them.
The RSPCA decided no charges would be laid but the company had been issued with a warning and changed some practices.
Mr Sword said the RSPCA should not be associated with the knackery.
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