South Australia’s RSPCA has issued 21 Animal Welfare Notices to Andgar Piggery in Dublin, 50 minutes outside Adelaide, following an investigation into alleged animal abuse.
The piggery’s owners and manager have been instructed to take immediate action to address conditions and maintenance at the facility.
The investigation was prompted by footage released by the Farm Transparency Project, which appears to show pigs feeding on carcasses and living alongside dead and decomposing animals at the piggery.
The RSPCA has euthanized 14 pigs at the facility and is preparing a comprehensive brief of evidence with a view to instigating court proceedings.
The owners and manager of the piggery have been formally interviewed, and the RSPCA will continue to monitor the operation with spot inspections.
Authorities have not yet laid charges, but the RSPCA has assured the community that it takes allegations of animal cruelty extremely seriously.
The South Australian government has provided additional funding to the RSPCA to enhance animal welfare compliance activities, and the state’s amended Animal Welfare Act carries maximum fines of up to $250,000 and/or 10 years’ jail for the aggravated ill-treatment of an animal.
A corporation can be fined up to $1 million for mistreating animals.
In the wake of the allegations, dozens of protesters gathered outside the piggery on Saturday, calling for its closure.
The RSPCA is urging anyone with information about animal cruelty to contact them on `1300 4 RSPCA` (1300 477 722).