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Shocking video released of shearers beating sheep

Shocking video released of shearers beating sheep

The RSPCA is investigating disturbing video showing shearers beating defenceless sheep.

The video released by animal rights group PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) shows shearers punching sheep in the face and stomping on their head.


It also shows a shearer hit a sheep in the head with a hammer while another uses electric clippers to jab a sheep in the face.

PETA said the video was taken at 19 shearing sheds in South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales between August and March.

“Sheep are obviously very gentle and complex animals, this would have been just as terrifying as it was painful,” Claire Fryer from PETA told 7News.

“This is just one example of the cruelty that is pervasive across this industry.”

Industry group Australian Wool Innovation condemns the mistreatment of animals.

It says it has invested millions of dollars into training shearers in world’s best practice animal welfare.

The RSPCA said the allegations are serious and is investigating any possible breaches of the animal welfare act.

It said shearing is stressed for sheep and should be done by trained workers.