DEPI inspectors are failing to carry out their duties

Victorian Sale Yards Investigation? A Farce! Stand up and be counted coalition!

Over recent months at least two “activists” have been intimidated/assaulted at the sale yards, one even had their camera busted. These incidents were reported to police and the state government BUT nothing has happened to stop these incidents.

It appears that the Victorian government prefers self-regulation within the animal welfare industry and especially at the sale yards as, they believe it to be economically viable and non-confronting &, never ever answerable to “animal Activists”!

Call ‘em what you like “activists” or whatever they will never go away anyway. State Government control the animal welfare “acts” in this state but choose not to involve themselves in the legal aspects of welfare thus they can uphold their obligations relevant to our welfare laws along with the Codes of Practice that go with the flow within the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act (POCTA).

“Codes of Practice” are rarely ever used to help enforce POCTA and, if they were then we wouldn’t be seeing more of the reported abuse/cruelty at our sale yards and the reports on a daily basis which are never ever complied with. (I know because I visit these yards and report these complaints and have even written to the minister on many occasions, of course without any end result).

How long has it been since any person at a sale yard was prosecuted by DEPI?? Other “activists” have reported “sheep broken legs” crippled calves and other blatant acts of cruelty and abuse!

One of the biggest problems with law enforcement & the prevention of cruelty legislation is that it should be without fear nor favor but it appears NOT as a so we question this, how can the “department DEPI, police the prevention of cruelty to animals “act” when their main role is for the promotion to the farming industry!! As it should be anyway?

BUT! Conflict of interest!!? You betcha! So, it is then left to a charitable organisation, the RSPCA who, at any rate do not have the “recourses, manpower nor the funds, (of which should be allocated to them anyway by the Ministers dept.,) to fulfil their obligations for the privilege of enforcing the prevention of cruelty to animals “act”. (POCTA). And there is an MOU with the DEPI and that is DEPI have the jurisdiction over “farm” animals.(Which in my opinion is a big joke anyway!)

In Victoria the Agricultural Department (DEPI, ) under Minister Peter Walsh’s folio , has the responsibility to “watch dog” animal welfare the legislation BUT, it doesn’t appear to be working at all and it appears to have lost the compassion needed in animal welfare to sustain any common sense in more ways than one in my opinion.

I have been involved in animal welfare (Law enforcement) for over four decades now and find it not only frustrating but downright embarrassing and feel very strongly towards the treatment of animals at our sale yards today!’ Victoria does not have an independent Inspectorate for sale yards for the whole purpose of “animal welfare inspections solely the policing of complaints as such” but it should have!

I have written to the Minister Honorable Peter Walsh on numerous occasions seeking to be assented under section 18 “specialist Inspector” under the “act” (POCTA) (of which he has the authority to do with the stroke of a pen), and might I add at no expense to his department or the state government, but have been flatly denied and at times he does not even take the time to quantify his negativity re this request!.

As a prominent and mostly respected QC once wrote a paper entitled “A fox in the henhouse” expertly explains this subject down to a “”T” who’s looking after the hens NOW? An Independent Inspectorate would ensure the following without fear nor favor and without prejudice
That these animals have the protection and respect that they deserve under the welfare legislation as such!

- The prevention of cruelty must be policed at all yards without fear nor favor!
- And, for the purpose of being a “Watchdog” over the sale yard management and animal welfare issues!
- Proper and correct procedures in loading/transportation to be adhered to in a safe & proper manner!

This governments’ failure to ensure regular and routine inspections is appalling and, at each and every sale yard in this state there appears to be a lack of training and/or manpower to maintain the standard of excellence within the community to at least let the animals leave this planet with some dignity!

Please be reminded that this is an election year and animal welfare will well on our AGENDA

Barrie R Tapp. Senior Investigations officer Animal Cruelty Hotline Aust.