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Demand an investigation into sheep cruelty

Horrific footage of cruelty towards sheep has been exposed, showing workers on New Zealand farms mercilessly beating, cutting, and throwing animals to the ground. The harm inflicted is nothing short of barbaric and reveals a disturbing culture of violence toward animals in Aotearoa’s agricultural sector. These crimes warrant immediate action and accountability.

Cruelty of this magnitude is unacceptable in any society that claims to value animal welfare. When the system fails to protect animals, it is up to all of us to demand change.

Demand justice

SAFE is demanding that the farms and individuals involved in these crimes be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. In addition to this, we are calling for a comprehensive and independent review of industry practices to identify systemic issues that enable such cruelty.

You can help by sending an email to the Associate Minister for Agriculture (Animal Welfare), Andrew Hoggard, using the form below. We encourage you to personalise your message.

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Tēnā koe Minister,

I am writing to express my outrage over the shocking mistreatment of sheep on New Zealand farms recently brought to light. The footage showing workers violently beating, cutting, and assaulting animals is not only morally reprehensible, but criminal. The deliberate and callous nature of this mistreatment indicates a profound disregard for the suffering of sentient beings and undermines the protections the law is meant to provide.

I am calling on you to take immediate and decisive action by:

1. Launching a full investigation into these deliberate acts of cruelty, which may constitute willful ill-treatment, and ensuring that all individuals and farms involved are held fully accountable.

2. Enforcing the penalties outlined under Section 28 of the Animal Welfare Act, which provides for significant consequences for those found guilty of willful ill-treatment.

3. Initiating a comprehensive and independent inquiry of industry practices to identify systemic issues that enable such cruelty and implementing reforms to prioritise animal welfare.

New Zealanders expect government bodies to uphold and enforce our animal welfare laws without exception. The failure to prosecute those responsible for such egregious acts would set a dangerous precedent, undermining public trust and New Zealand’s international reputation as a country that values animal welfare.

I urge you to act immediately and decisively to ensure justice for these animals and to demonstrate that New Zealand does not tolerate animal cruelty.

Ngā mihi,

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Horrific Sheep Cruelty EXPOSED

Demand an investigation into sheep cruelty

Demand justice

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