Pigs put down as authorities investigate video of allegedly shocking conditions at Adelaide piggery
Farm Transparency Project says the video — captured by activists who snuck onto the piggery on two separate occasions at night — allegedly shows piles of rotting pig carcasses, in some cases with sick but still alive animals trapped underneath.
RSPCA South Australia and the state government's Primary Industries and Regions South Australia (PIRSA) both confirmed they are investigating the claims against the piggery — which they did not name but which FTP said was Andgar Piggery — at Dublin, a small rural town on the Adelaide Plains about 60km north of the state capital.
The RSPCA said 14 pigs were euthanised by inspectors who attended the piggery on June 27 and 21 animal welfare notices were issued instructing the piggery owners and manager to take immediate action regarding conditions and maintenance.
RSPCA said the owners and managers have been 'formally interviewed' as the 'complex' investigation of the piggery continues.
Andgar Piggery declined to comment when contacted by 7NEWS.com.au. No charges have been laid.
Victoria-based activist group FTP said its volunteers entered the piggery at night on June 14 and 20, after being tipped off by a member of the public who had also reported the alleged conditions there to the RSPCA South Australia in May.
The volunteers allegedly captured footage which the group claims shows concerning conditions for the pigs inside four separate sheds at the property, including pigs living alongside the decomposing bodies of dead pigs, and sick animals trapped amid a pile of dead pigs.
On June 26, FTP supplied a 16-minute clip to the RSPCA, which immediately carried out an inspection at the property on June 27.
The FTP posted the full video online on July 13 as animal advocates called for immediate action.
Animal Liberation South Australia has since organised a protest outside the piggery on July 19, also calling for action.
Farm Transparency Project executive director Chris Delforce called on the government to do more to protect the welfare of farm animals.
'This is indicative of a public that has zero faith in authorities to protect animals, a perception which this government has earned through years of gutless inaction,' he said.
'If the government really want to fix the animal welfare issues that are rife across this country, they'll have to grow the spine to stand up to the lobby groups of animal slaughter industries, who currently operate with minimal oversight or regulation.
'Until that day, we'll continue to do the government's work for them by making consumers aware exactly what they are supporting when they buy products from animals farmed and killed in Australia.'
PIRSA and RSPCASA confirmed to 7NEWS.com.au that they are still investigating the matter.
'RSPCA South Australia can confirm that a report has been received in relation to concerns regarding the welfare of animals at a property north of Adelaide,' a spokesperson said.
'Our inspectorate are currently investigating the complaint and, as such, no further comments will be provided at this time.'
When asked about the FTP video and the RSPCA and PIRSA investigation, acting SA Premier and Environment Minister Susan Close said South Australians do not tolerate animal cruelty.
'South Australians have little tolerance for acts of animal cruelty and the South Australian Government is overhauling a number of pieces of legislation pertaining to the management and care of animals to bring them into line with community expectations,' she told 7NEWS.com.au.
'Under state animal welfare legislation, there are also numerous codes, including the Model Code of Practice for the Welfare of Animals, Livestock and Poultry at Slaughtering Establishments (Abattoirs, Slaughterhouses and Knackeries), to ensure animals are treated humanely.
'The South Australian Government also had input into a national review of livestock processing standards and guidelines.'
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