Animal activists attack farmers’ trucks near Wagga Wagga in southern NSW

Animal activists have slashed tyres, spray-painted livestock trucks and damaged vehicles, prompting the nation’s largest farmers’ association to call for tough penalties to be imposed.

Animal activists spray-painted trucks near Wagga Wagga. Picture: Livestock Bulk Carriers NSW/Facebook

Animal activists have embarked on a crime spree in southern NSW where they spray-painted livestock trucks and damaged cables in a rampage showing “utter contempt” for the law.

Police are investigating a series of attacks targeting livestock carriers across southern NSW including an incident on an empty truck parked on the Olympic Highway near Wagga Wagga on Tuesday, causing $10,000 damage.

Livestock Bulk Carriers NSW reported the incident to police after large holes were ripped through 15 tyres, extensive damage was done to cabling and derogatory comments were spray-painted on the trailer, which was parked on the highway leading to Junee.

An emblem purporting to be the UK-based Animal Liberation Front defaced part of the truck at Wagga.

The association reported another attack on an empty livestock truck which was discovered at Goulburn on Monday.

An emblem believed to be the Animal Liberation Front painted on the parked truck at Wagga. Picture: Facebook

Damaged cables on the truck near Wagga. Picture: Facebook

NSW Farmers’ Association slammed the act and called for tough penalties on offenders.

“This is a disgusting act and police should throw the book at them,’’ NSW Farmers’ board member Alan Brown said.

“It is clear these activists have utter contempt for the law, and this must be put to a stop before any families or animals are seriously hurt.

“We strongly condemn these acts, and we will support any farmer impacted by this senselessness.’’

The organisation has called on NSW Premier Chris Minns to ensure tough penalties are imposed on offenders.

Expletives spray-painted on the truck. Picture: Livestock Bulk Carriers NSW/Facebook

It’s estimated $10,000 worth of damage occurred. Picture: Livestock Bulk Carriers NSW/Facebook

“If these activists have any backbone, they should come talk to us and ask us about how our industry works,’’ Mr Brown said.

“Farmers are ready and willing to share the facts of how they safely and ethically produce livestock here in Australia – but these activist groups seem intent on remaining ignorant and putting everyone in danger for the sake of their unfounded agendas.”

A link on the Liberate or Die Facebook page documented an anonymous email that began with “greetings and salutations with love from the ALF in so-called Australia’’.

“Todays (sic) action involved some sabotage of a resting death truck trailer. Sitting in plain sight, unattended, how could we not?’’ the email read.

Red spray paint was splashed across the parked, empty Wagga Wagga truck. Picture: Livestock Bulk Carriers NSW/Facebook

It listed the tools for “economic sabotage” including “classic, trusted red spray paint, cutting of all wires and hoses, damage to connection ports and lights, drilling holes in 20 tyres and sabotage of dog muzzles”.

“This trailer will not be transporting any animals to their deaths any time soon,’’ it stated.

The chief executive for Animal Liberation, which is not linked with Animal Liberation Front, also lambasted the “stupid” attack as a way of wrongly convincing the public all animal activists were extremists.

“We watch from afar some of the things the ALF does,’’ Lynda Stoner said.

“Painting a truck might make them feel good for three seconds but I don’t see how it’s helping the cause one iota.

“It’s just stupid.’’

Originally published as Animal activists attack farmers’ trucks near Wagga Wagga in southern NSW