620 HORSES DIE

3rd November 2000

620 HORSES DIE - ANIMAL LIBERATION CALLS FOR INQUIRY INTO NPWS KILLING METHODS - AND WHY THE HORSES HAD TO DIE

Here is an urgent call for your help. Last month National Parks and Wildlife Service used aerial marksmen (in helicopters) to kill 620 horses in Guy Fawkes National Park near Coffs Harbour.

Helicopter shooting is notoriously cruel because of the almost impossibility of achieving a clean shot to the head. In this case reports have come in from local farmers as to just how bad it was.....a horse was hit by nine bullets and had a shattered leg....a mare died of a bullet wound while foaling.... some horses were crippled by bullet wounds while enduring an agonising wait to die...."I haven't seen such a shocking turnout in my life" (a local farmer on Channel Nine news) Animals Australia Executive Director said..."wounding is inevitable (in helicopter shooting) ....the horses panic as they run over rough ground, they are likely to be injured and mare and foals become separated. Wounded animals escape into covered areas and are left to die slowly." The Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) said it is "appalled by the brutal slaughter of 600 horses and outraged at the apparent lack of concern by NPWS for the welfare of the many horses which suffered terribly in this incident".

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

Please write to

NSW Environment Minister Bob Debus
Parliament House
Macquarie Street
SYDNEY NSW 2000
FAX (02) 4751-1245

Mr Debus has now announced there is to be an independent review of the killing of the horses. It is to be undertaken by Veterinary Scientist Professor Tony English. Please say how dismayed and horrified you are at the slaughter of the horses and thank Mr Debus for agreeing to an enquiry. Say you would like to know when the enquiry will be undertaken and the guidelines. Please send copies of your letter to NPWS & to RSPCA for the attention of Steve Coleman.

courtesy of Animal Liberation NSW