‘Appalling: outrage after sheep shorn with chainsaw in Tasmania

GRAPHIC CONTENT: A video of a sheep being shorn with a chainsaw has been slammed as “appalling” and “beyond comprehension”.

A VIDEO circulating online of a sheep being shorn with a chainsaw has sparked social media outrage, with the act slammed as “cruel” and “barbaric”.

The video was posted on Facebook earlier this week and shared by Brightside Farm Sanctuary on Wednesday.

“I was horrified,” Brightside owner Emma Haswell said.

“But having spent a bit of time when I was younger working on farms, I’m well aware of the sort of cruelty that happens every day.

“People don’t stop and think about the fact these creatures are sensitive to fear and pain.”

In the comments, many were furious.

“Absolutely barbaric,” one commenter said.

“What a disgusting act of utter stupidity and cruelty. I wonder how they would like being held down with a chain saw coming at them for a haircut?”

A sheep being shorn with a chainsaw in Tasmania.

Ms Haswell said farms animals were treated much worse than other animals.

“People need to really wake up and not just be comfortable about what life is like for an animal on a farm,” she said,

Ms Haswell believed animal welfare laws did not go far enough to protect farm animals.

“They’re not, when they are used, they don’t go to the extreme extents, it’s always light sentencing and light punishments,” Ms Haswell said.

RSPCA Tasmania was informed of the incident and is now investigating.

“The depths of stupidity of some people is just unbelievable,” RSPCA Tasmania CEO Jan Davis said.

“Why anyone would do it is beyond my comprehension, why they would video it is even stupider and why they would put it up online is also beyond comprehension.

Ms Davis believed it was a young lamb which had likely never been shorn.

“It would be stressed for being singled out from its flock, which it clearly was stressed,” Ms Davis said.

“It would be a terrifying experience, the noise along would be horrifying.”

Ms Davis said judging from the comments, the incident likely took place in the Central Highlands.

“We’re still investigating but we’ve got good leads to go on because they were silly enough to put it on the internet,” Ms Davis said.

RSPCA Tasmania CEO Jan Davis with Minister Guy Barnett. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Ms Davis said there could be serious consequences for those involved.

“For serious breaches of the animal welfare act, penalties can be quite high, they can be up to $30k or jail terms,” Ms Davis said.

Ms Davis said it was important those who see incidents of animal cruelty report what they see.

She said the longer the delay, the greater the risk of evidence online disappearing.

“Until we know, we can’t investigate,” Ms Davis said.

“Anyone who watched that video and did not report it is contributing to that appalling behaviour.

“I don’t care how many reports we get, people need to take that responsibility that goes particularly for the moderators of social media sites.”

A biosecurity spokesperson said the organisation was aware of the incident.

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

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

Anyone who wants to report animal welfare concerns can contact the RSPCA Inspectorate on 1300 139 946 or by email at [e-mail]

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