Australia’s animal protection laws failed farmed rabbits
Footage of clear animal suffering and cruelty deemed inadmissible by authorities.
Last year, we released footage revealing shocking cruelty on a rabbit meat farm in Victoria. The undercover footage showed rabbits - the same kind we share our homes with as companions - confined to cramped cages, unable to express natural behaviours, suffering from debilitating illnesses, injuries, and a high mortality rate.
Despite the public being deeply disturbed by the farm’s treatment of these animals, a government spokesperson said, "living conditions met code of practice requirements. No further action would be taken."
Footage deemed “inadmissible”
We sought an explanation for Agriculture Victoria’s decision and lack of action to protect these rabbits. They responded stating that the video evidence was inadmissible because it was obtained without permission.
Despite being inadmissible, the footage did lead to an investigation by Agriculture Victoria. From the news article, we know that certain rabbits have since been euthanised - most likely because their injuries were so severe. We believe that Agriculture Victoria's investigation may have resulted in the euthanasia of numerous rabbits rather than prompting urgent and compassionate veterinary care for them.
Under the Victorian Freedom of Information Act, we applied for access to Agriculture Victoria’s investigation report, and the files came back heavily redacted, intentionally concealing crucial information.
Because of the lack of justice for the rabbits, the Animal Liberation team approached lawyers to pursue our claims. We argued that in public interest, the footage should still be admissible, despite it being filmed covertly - but this was rejected. While the footage showed breaches to POCTA, due to current laws, the misconduct cannot be penalised as it could be a "misunderstanding" or "misinterpretation".
The current system relies on workers recording and reporting cruelty or individuals turning themselves in. When it is a family-run farm, however, it makes this extremely unlikely to happen. On top of this, the decision-makers in positions of power to act on animal cruelty complaints are the same people who profit off of a farmed animal's existence. This is a clear conflict of interest, as without oversight from an independent regulator, economic interests continue to be prioritised over animal welfare.
Rabbit suffering ignored
The government body that is supposed to 'protect' the animals has failed these rabbits. It has failed the buck whose face was rotting off. It has failed the doe who was forced to live on a caged floor with a missing foot and exposed bones while trying to care for her young. It has failed the rabbit who was thrown in a bin while still alive. It has failed the kitten with infected eyes. It has failed the many individuals with severe head-tilt, tumours, broken legs, overgrown teeth, and those who died in the cages.
Unfortunately, the blatant flaws in our animal protection laws and the lack of equity for farmed animals have again failed to achieve justice for these rabbits.
How we can stop the cruelty
We are deeply disheartened and frustrated by this outcome, but we will not give up.
The most powerful way to stop cruelty like this from happening in future is by consumers taking a stand, ending the demand for animal meat and asking any restaurants that sell rabbit meat to stop offering it. We've put together a letter for you to download (doc), edit as you wish, and send to any restaurant that you know who sells rabbit meat. We know this can work because in 2017, Animal Liberation contacted Grill'd with information about rabbit farming, and we asked them to remove bunnies from their menu, and they did.
This outcome is a perfect example of why we need to work together to change the system and establish an independent regulator. You can support our call for an Independent Office of Animal Welfare by adding your name here.
Ps. This isn't the first rabbit farm we've exposed. All three farms, from 2015, 2016, and 2021, revealed cramped, filthy cages, high ammonia readings, and many suffering from injury, illness, and high mortality rates. The industry cannot be trusted with the lives and welfare of rabbits.
Published 6 May 2022
