Georgie Purcell calls for overhaul of cattle transport conditions after 22 cows killed in crash

A truck crash that killed 22 cows has sparked calls for an overhaul of cattle transport conditions.

A truck crash that killed 22 cows has sparked calls for an overhaul of cattle transport conditions.

The horror incident unfolded on Alexandra Avenue in Melbourne’s South Yarra at about 8.25pm on Tuesday night when a truck carrying cattle crashed into a rail bridge.

The top deck of the trailer was crushed in the incident, with about 22 out of 75 cattle either dying or being euthanised at the scene, according to Agriculture Victoria.

Animal Justice Party MP Georgie Purcell has called for better monitoring of similar incidents, claiming they aren’t as uncommon as many may think.

“Whether or not you eat meat no one likes to see animals suffering, but the sad reality is this is what happens with live animal transport,” she told Jacqui Felgate on 3AW Drive.

“And these truck rollovers, these truck incidents actually aren’t uncommon, they happen quite often all the time in regional areas.

“I think the shocking thing about what happened last night was it happened in city streets and a lot of people were witness to it.”

A truck carrying cattle slammed into a bridge in South Yarra, killing 22 cows. Picture: Farm Transparency Project

Ms Purcell said she’s seen several rollovers in her Northern Victoria electorate where “every single animal on board has had to be killed”.

“Animals strewn all over the road, body parts, passersby’s are completely distressed by it,” she said.

“At the very least we need to track how often this is happening.”

She said no data is being kept on similar incidents, which makes it difficult to judge how big a problem it really is.

Ms Purcell added a review into the conditions and standards animals can be transported in is needed.

“They can actually go on really long voyages without food, without water,” she said.

“Of course that’s not just a risk to them, it’s a risk to the drivers as well.”

Animal Justice Party MP Georgie Purcell has called for an overhaul of transport conditions for cattle after 22 cows were killed in a crash. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling

Ms Purcell has also called for better monitoring of similar incidents, claiming they aren’t as uncommon as many may think. Picture: NCA Newswire / Nicki Connolly

Ms Purcell said volunteers from the Farm Transparency Project had told her a number of animals were “shot on site from the injuries” in Tuesday’s crash.

“Some had broken legs, others were wandering the streets with their injuries,” she said.

“The other thing that’s really distressing is of course we know where these animals are going, they’re on their way to the slaughterhouse, they’re on the way to their deaths.

“I’m very open about the fact that I don’t eat animals, but I think after an incident like this we need to consider whether that’s the right choice for them, and there’s a number of people calling for these animals to go to sanctuaries after what they’ve been through and I fully support those calls.”

The driver of the truck was not injured in Tuesday’s incident, and the 54-year-old NSW man is assisting police with their enquiries.

A Victorian government spokesperson said the welfare of livestock, both on farms and in transit, is “important to all Victorians”.

“Agriculture Victoria assists first responders with the management of livestock transport accidents when requested with a focus on managing animal welfare needs including euthanasia if required,” the spokesperson said.

“Sadly there are circumstances where euthanasia is the most humane option for ensuring animal welfare.”

The investigation remains ongoing.