STAFF from the exporter of thousands of sheep on death row in Pakistan have received vicious threats.
Wellard said threatening emails had been sent to its staff after around 10,000 animals sold to a Karachi dealer by the exporter were culled, with some reports saying sheep were clubbed, stabbed and even buried alive.
The Perth exporters confirmed Western Australia police was investigating.
One email sent to a Wellard staff member threatened to sue the exporters "for the Mental distress you have caused me'', Fairfax reported this morning.
"How dare you treat our Animals so, your [sic] Monsters, worse than hitler!'' it continued.
"You Evil F---ers are going to pay for what you have done, every single one of your staff had better watch their backs! I'm Coming for you!''
WA Police confirmed it had received a complaint from Wellard, but could not divulge any more as an investigation was underway.
Threats against live exporters are not unprecedented.
Exporters and the exporting industry reported similar threats after Australian cattle were destroyed by inhumane means in Indonesian abattoirs last year, an incident which led to a month-long suspension of trade.
RSPCA Australia chief executive Heather Neil said the situation in Pakistan has been "very distressing" for many Australians and was another example of why live exports should be halted.
"The animal abuse that has occurred is totally unacceptable," Ms Neil said.
"The fact that these sheep were rejected by Bahrain and 10,000 have been killed in such a terrible manner and the other half are in limbo are examples of the inherent risks of the live export trade.
"The RSPCA and the majority of the community believe we need to replace live exports with a meat only trade. The exporters know this too and are buying up Australian meat processing facilities.
"Unfortunately it is the animals that pay the price for the delay."
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry urged anyone with strong views on the matter of live exports to pursue appropriate means to express them.
"The Government asks everyone to take advantage of the opportunities they have to contribute to public debate in Australia," a DAFF spokesperson said.
"If you have strongly-held views on a matter, use proper, mature and appropriate means to communicate your position."
Wellard's shipment of 21,000 sheep was originally intended for Bahrain, but was rejected due to health concerns.
The fate of the 11,300 surviving animals in Pakistan rests with London pathologists, who are carrying out further tests to determine if the sheep are diseased.
A finding is expected by October 17 at the latest
Source: weeklytimesnow.com.au
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