A SHEEP spotted being loaded onto a live export ship in Fremantle Port with a bloodied head has drawn ire from animal rights groups.
A small group of “concerned” animal rights activists located the sheep being transported onto the Al Kuwait export ship last Friday, November 7, with visible blood coating the animal’s eye area and alerted the RSPCA.
Animal Justice Party MLC Amanda Dorn says she reported the incident to the primary industries department and WA agriculture minister Jackie Jarvis, but that no further information had been released to her about the animal’s condition.
• Animal rights activists say a ban on live sheep export can’t come too soon after spotting this injured animal on the way to the Al Kuwait at Fremantle Port. Image supplied
“This is the animal cruelty which we see time and time again in the live export industry,” Ms Dorn said.
“The sight of this injured animal enduring transportation in this condition is not only unacceptable, it is yet another heartbreaking reminder of the systemic cruelty embedded in live export, which treats animal as cargo rather than living, feeling, innocent, and gentle animals.
“It is further evidence that the industry has lost its social licence and must be held accountable.”
Ms Dorn called on the federal government to bring forward its ban on live export, which is set to come into effect in May 2028.
“We are very concerned that West Australian sheep and cattle are sent on long, arduous journeys at sea, where they are prone to stress, overcrowding, exposure to extreme temperatures, inadequate access to food and water and are also susceptible to injury.
“If they survive the journey, they routinely face terrifying, fully conscious slaughter in countries that have poor animal welfare protections in place.
“The Animal Justice Party would like to see timely, decisive action by the federal government to end all live export, and this is a stance that is reflected by strong public opinion.”
The Chook attempted to get in contact with Keep the Sheep, but they did not get back in time for publication. DPIRD also didn’t respond.