70 Pigs Die in Traffic Accident
On the afternoon of 10 January 2007 the RSPCA was called out to assist with a livestock accident when a trailer being pulled by a truck rolled on the Port Wakefield Road. Officers arrived to find 40 pigs dead and a further 30 injured. Unfortunately, their injuries were so severe that they needed to be destroyed.
The load of pigs was travelling from Tintinara in the State’s south-east to an abattoir near Port Wakefield. The accident caused additional concern to the RSPCA because the temperature at the time was over 38 degrees in the shade. The RSPCA called in SES volunteers who assisted in wetting down the pigs to keep them cooler.
The transport of pigs is covered by a Code of Practice which by law must be complied with. The Code states that “Pigs should be provided with adequate shade. Spraying pigs with water when temperatures exceed 25 degrees C may help prevent heat stress. Transport of pigs during the early hours of the day or late afternoon or evening should be of benefit to decrease animal stress. Transporting pigs in very hot or cold weather should be avoided wherever possible.”
Pigs cannot sweat and are stressed by high temperatures. They are also very susceptible to sunburn due to their sparse coats and unpigmented skin. This is why nearly all pigs are farmed under shelter.
The RSPCA is investigating why this particular transport was occurring on such a hot day. Unfortunately, the weak wording of the Code makes it almost impossible for the RSPCA to prosecute those who do not comply with it. The use of the word “should” in such Codes is the reason. The RSPCA wants Codes of Practice amended with the term “should” replaced with “must” where appropriate.
2 comments January 11th, 2007