RSPCA investigating 'cruel' video of sheep being shorn with chainsaw

The RSPCA is investigating a video appearing to show a sheep being shorn with a chainsaw on a Tasmanian property.

Emma Haswell, who runs Brightside Farm Sanctuary in Cygnet, was sent the video by a "very concerned friend" who came across it on a Midlands Facebook page.

"It's of a shearer holding down a lamb on a shearing shed floor, and another man — an older man — comes in with a chainsaw and thinks it's funny to start shearing the back end of the lamb with a chainsaw," Ms Haswell said.

"It's fraught with danger, and just plain cruel and ignorant and idiotic behaviour."

Ms Haswell, whose sanctuary near Hobart has cared for sick and injured animals for the past 18 years, shared the video and reported the matter to the police, along with the identity of the men she believes were involved.

But Tasmania Police said that under animal welfare laws, the care of farm animals came under the remit of the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment (DPIPWE).

Biosecurity Tasmania, which falls under the Department of Primary Industries, told the ABC it was aware of the video circulating on social media and said the incident was being investigated by the RSPCA.

"As is standard practice, Biosecurity Tasmania will assist the RSPCA if the investigation warrants," a spokesperson said.

"Prompt reporting of animal welfare concerns to authorities is critical.

"The government continues to identify ways to further improve animal welfare measures, including strengthening the Animal Welfare Act to better protect animals in Tasmania.

"As this matter is under active investigation, the Department will not be providing any further comments."

The RSCPA confirmed it was investigating and pursuing leads based on the original Facebook post. 

Ms Haswell said she doubted the investigation would result in much action, and said the penalties for such acts were not tough enough.

"The animal welfare laws around farm animals are so poor," she said.

"It's very hard to get DPIPWE to press charges, and when it gets to court and there's a conviction the penalties are very low.

"So you've got these idiots … they think it's funny."

Tasmanian Greens leader Cassy O'Connor has written to the state's new Minister for Primary Industries, Jo Palmer, about the video, urging her to ensure action is taken and calling for stronger animal welfare laws.

In a statement, Ms Palmer said she was aware of the video and urged anyone with knowledge of the incident to contact the RSPCA as soon as possible. 

She said the government had increased penalties and anyone found guilty of aggravated cruelty could now be sentenced to up to five years in prison, and/or a fine of up to about $30,000.

Ms Haswell said she believed posting the video to Facebook would likely have more of an impact than contacting politicians and the RSPCA. 

"It's just about trying to get people to consider where their money is going and what it's being used for when they buy that leg of lamb," she said.

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