'Abhorrent' video sparks animal cruelty claims at major saleyard
Warning: This article contains images of alleged animal cruelty some readers may find distressing.
Images of what animal welfare groups claim to be injured sheep being thrown into a paddock next to dozens of dead animals have been referred for an investigation of alleged cruelty at a NSW saleyard.
Videos captured with a drone at the Central West Livestock Exchange in Forbes, one of the largest saleyards in the country, in September showed people disposing of allegedly injured sheep in a paddock, surrounded by nearly 30 other dead animals.
Another video, supplied to the ABC by advocacy group Animal Liberation (AL), appeared to show three dead sheep being dragged behind a vehicle in the saleyard.
The facility is one of the largest in the country, having processed more than 1.8 million sheep in 2025-26, according to Meat and Livestock Australia.
AL passed the video onto the RSPCA and the Animal Welfare League, which is investigating the matter.
The Animal Welfare League is tasked with investigating welfare and cruelty concerns in some instances in the state's west.
The video showed three dead sheep being dragged through the saleyard. (Supplied: Animal Liberation)
"The footage is abhorrent, it's very distressing to watch," AL director Lisa Ryan said.
"There were so many instances of animals being completely disregarded in terms of the obvious suffering that you can see.
"It is amongst the worst I've seen."
Dozens of dead sheep can be seen in a paddock next to the Central West Livestock Exchange in Forbes. (Supplied: Animal Liberation)
In a statement, a spokesperson for the Forbes Shire Council, which owns and operates the saleyard, said they have not been contacted by the Animal Welfare League and were not aware of any accusations of animal cruelty at the facility.
"Central West Livestock Exchange (CWLE) takes all animal welfare matters seriously," the spokesperson said.
"Council and CWLE is committed to the safe, lawful and humane handling of livestock and will continue to operate according to animal welfare policies and procedures.
"Should any concerns be raised with council, they will be reviewed."
Matter referred for investigation
In a statement, NSW Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty said legislation prevented her from commenting on a specific matter that is the subject of an investigation.
"Everyone in NSW has a responsibility to follow the laws and regulations regarding animal welfare," she said.
"My office has forwarded the materials to the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development for referral to the Animal Welfare League to investigate."
Agricultural Minister Tara Moriarty has referred the matter to the Animal Welfare League to investigate. (ABC News: Alexander Lewis)
The Animal Welfare League was also contacted for comment.
Ms Ryan said what occurred at the Forbes saleyard was not an "isolated incident" and illustrated a broader industry problem.
"It is like a very badly broken record where we see the way animals are regarded and treated," she said.
Outdated legislation
The protection of livestock is governed in NSW under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act which was passed in 1979.
Ms Ryan said the video displayed a number of "clear breaches" of the law.
She said after more than 40 years, the NSW government needed to update the legislation.
"Our laws are pathetically outdated and very, very inadequate,"
she said.
"Farmed animals are at the bottom of the pile."
The Animal Welfare League is investigating alleged animal cruelty at the Central West Livestock Exchange in Forbes. (Supplied: Forbes Shire Council)
In 2018, the federal government introduced the Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines for livestock at saleyards.
Under the guidelines, people handling stock must not throw them, drop them from heights which prevent them landing safely, or drag animals that are unable to stand.
But neither NSW or Victoria have legislated to make those standards law.
Reform needed
In October, Agriculture Victoria announced an investigation into allegations of animal cruelty at the Bendigo Livestock Exchange after video showed sheep dying in pens, unmuzzled dogs being used and injured animals being transported for sale.
Gary Hall says government reforms on animal cruelty are needed in New South Wales and Victoria. (ABC News: Harrison Tippet)
The founder of welfare group Sheep Advocate Australia, Gary Hall, lodged 81 official complaints with the agency in that instance.
After acquiring the video taken at the Central West Livestock Exchange, he submitted eight complaints to the NSW authorities.
Mr Hall said he was not surprised by what he saw in the videos from Forbes.
"From a regulatory point of view, we need NSW and Victoria, essentially the two largest sheep states in Australia, to come together to improve these issues," he said.
"We need clear reform to make sure rules are adhered to … there aren't many laws that are enforceable.
"Then there is the compliance issue where there is actually nobody watching to enforce these rules."
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