Sheep in trucks!

XRchic · 04-10-2008, 10:45 AM

Hello

I have a question for the truck drivers out there.

What is the deal with sheep in trucks?

I drive on the freeway every day, to and from work (Mt Barker to city) and I see loads of trucks. One particular morning, while sitting at the city end of the freeway at an intersection (Glen Osmond Road/Portrush Road/Cross Road/Freeway for those who know the area). There was this horrible squealing noise.

Everyone in their cars could hear it and were all turning around to look (there were heaps of cars banked up as well as trucks). There was a large truck next to us with sheep in it. The squealing was coming from there. About half way back along the truck, there was a sheep's leg protruding from between the wooden slats on the truck and it was wedged there. It was bleeding all down the side of the truck and it looked as though it was almost severed. The poor sheep was screaming. The other sheep appeared very distressed too.

They were squashed in so tight that it was clear that the sheep could not free itself, and also most of the blood down the side of the truck was not all that fresh, suggesting that the sheep had been stuck that way for quite some time. I am guessing the truck would have come from Melbourne, or perhaps even Sydney but it probably had been on the road for a fair amount of time. So the sheep had been suffering for some time.

People around in the cars were quite upset, and there was a girl in the passenger seat of the car behind me who was in tears. The driver of the truck seemed entirely unaware of the problem, although I dont know how he could have missed the leg protruding, in his side mirror, let alone the noise!

I didnt get the name of the truck company or anything like that, as I was in the doubel turn right lane and the arrow went green and I had to go. There was nothing on the side of the truck to indicate either. Otherwise I would have rang and complained.

Now, I know that sheep have to be packed in fairly tightly to keep them from moving around too much in the truck, for their own benefit. And I know they are just sheep, being transported to somewhere to be killed and eaten anyway. I just thought that was beyond acceptable, and that at least they should be treated humanely in the truck.

I have seen similar things since then, although nowhere as bad. One sheep had its head stuck down very low and out of one of the gaps and was clearly stuck. Many of them look very awkward.

Is there any regulations about how the sheep must be transported to prevent this, or is it just considered acceptable practice. Im sure the truck drivers have nothing to do with this either, as they just drive the truck and cant do much (not like he can stop the truck when he realises there is a problem and unload all of the sheep himself and sort it out).

I also see chickens in trucks who look they are half frozen from their journey, but thats another story!

Has anyone else seen similar things with the sheep?

Jac

Hillbilly F Truck · 04-10-2008, 11:42 AM

Sounds like a horrible thing to have witnessed. Surely the carriers can be modified in some way to prevent this. Must be some inventors out there with aspirations of going on ABC's new inventers and earn some cash aswell as solving what is clearly a nasty problem.

MAGPIE · 04-10-2008, 11:52 AM

Easily solved...

Stop the truck and inform the driver

XRchic · 04-10-2008, 11:56 AM

Not easy to do on a freeway, and it would seem as though the driver would likely have known anyway.

DoreSlamR · 04-10-2008, 12:03 PM

I don't think there are any regulations on how they're transported, as long as they arrive alive the buyer doesn't care.

I doubt the truck driver cares if there was an injured sheep on board. I doubt being a compassionate person is in a sheep truck driver resume. Just ignore and forget.

I couldn't do it, that's for sure

MAGPIE · 04-10-2008, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XRchic

Not easy to do on a freeway, and it would seem as though the driver would likely have known anyway.

True

Although I would have made a determined attempt to flag the truck down as I hate seeing animals suffer

:

falconboy · 04-10-2008, 12:32 PM

Theres been a lot of protests and complaints from animal welfare organisations regarding sheep transport, in particular those going to the middle east. A report I read mentioned 70,000 sheep died in transport by ship to the middle east last year. I'm no tree hugging, animal activist type, but I do love animals - and the way animals are allowed to be treated in this country is disgusting. Could be worse, Asia is another story! Mongrels.

gemibabe · 04-10-2008, 12:38 PM

its called the live animal trade and its funny how this sort of thing has been going on for a long time with only a small minority actually wanting to stop it....UNTIL the rest of australia see how it harms the animals.

If it was peak hour and everyone was stopped I would of put my car in park and gone and informed the driver. The drivers are suppose to do some husbandry.

You should also take down the rego and call the RSPCA. From memory they are suppose to monitor the transport of live animals.

Failing that, call the cops. They can stop the truck and deal with the emergency on hand.

Live animal trade should cease. Its inhumane, the journey's are long and tedious and for what? Why can't these other countries breed/farm their own beef, lamb, chicken etc??

oh and don't doubt anything. Truck drivers are not that heartless mate!

EdFairmontGhia · 04-10-2008, 12:53 PM

Don't they have a % that they are allowedto write off when transporting?

whiteELXR6 · 04-10-2008, 12:55 PM

I'm am a truck driver myself, although i have never driven a stock crate, but I do know now that the trailers are being built better and better all the time to improve the journey for the animals. I know alot of the trailers are built now with non bruising sides etc, etc.

As for telling the truck driver that the sheep is in trouble is obviously probably the right thing to do if possible but really what is he going to do, can't exactly jump in the back and sort the poor bugger out. I personally don't ever intend on driving stock crates but when your a driver in a country town thats sometimes the only job going.

DoreSlamR · 04-10-2008, 01:17 PM

Apologies if I was sounding as if ALL truckies are heartless people.

Just in some cases, particularly live transport, I think you would have to 'turn a blind eye' so to speak.

bonspeed · 04-10-2008, 01:28 PM

mmmmmm chops

jaydee · 04-10-2008, 01:31 PM

The driver isn't going to stop, what can he do?
He can't unload the sheep or repack them to get to that one.
They're usually triple deckers and it's impossible to get to one sheep.
The RSPCA should do something about ensuring sheep carriers have barriers preventing their legs getting stuck outside, it's an all too common occurrence.
I know they're just dumb stupid sheep but it hurts just as much getting your leg broken whether your a sheep, horse dog or human.

falconboy · 04-10-2008, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bonspeed

mmmmmm chops

Ha Ha. Yes, as much as I love animals, I love eating them too!

**Full Noise** · 04-10-2008, 03:24 PM

This thread takes the cake. I don’t think that I’ve read so much crap (with the exception of Jadee’s post) since 12000 was online.

For starters, sheep crates are mostly four decks. They have to be packed in tightly (standing) so they don’t get injured or trampled by lying down. They also tend to move when they are frightened etc.

WTF do you people want the truck driver to do? Block Portrush road in peak hour and nearly get run over by some impatient motorist because a bloody calf decided to stick its leg out? Just because one sticks its leg out doesn’t mean that it’s the end of the world.

Everyone’s an expert.

**GasoLane** · 04-10-2008, 03:27 PM

This question would probably have been better put in the Truck thread but whatever....

Most drivers are concerned about the stock they carry. You damage the freight you get the kick in the backside and possible loss of contract.

Go to any roadhouse when a stock crate pulls in. The first thing the driver should do is check to see if any Sheep/Cattle/Goats are down and stand them up.

They have to be 'packed in tight' so that they dont fall all over the place.

Truck and Ship transport are two TOTALLY different situations.

There is NO percentage that is allowed to be 'written off'.

RG · 04-10-2008, 03:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bonspeed

mmmmmm chops

Mmmmmm, I'm a bit disappointed that a perfectly good leg of lamb has gone to waste

aye you · 04-10-2008, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Full Noise

This thread takes the cake. I don’t think that I’ve read so much crap (with the exception of Jadee’s post) since 12000 was online...

you forgetting RogerCordia?

XRchic · 04-10-2008, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Full Noise

This thread takes the cake. I don’t think that I’ve read so much crap (with the exception of Jadee’s post) since 12000 was online.

For starters, sheep crates are mostly four decks. They have to be packed in tightly (standing) so they don’t get injured or trampled by lying down. They also tend to move when they are frightened etc.

WTF do you people want the truck driver to do? Block Portrush road in peak hour and nearly get run over by some impatient motorist because a bloody calf decided to stick its leg out? Just because one sticks its leg out doesn’t mean that it’s the end of the world.

Everyone’s an expert.

Hi

I had no intention of starting the thread to bag truck drivers. In fact, I did mention that I didnt think it would be possible for truck drivers to sort out the poor sheep while travelling, as he wouldnt exactly be able to remove the sheep and fix it. And I also did mention that they are supposed to be packed tight for their own benefit, so I had no issue with that. More my point was about how the sheep got like that in the first place which would be nothing to do with the truck drivers at all, and perhaps the design of the trucks as well.

And no, it may not be the end of the world, but it is quite unpleasant for the average Jo to see on the roads, when the sheep is screaming and a half severed leg is protruding, blood and all, from the truck. Plenty of young kids saw it, and I dont think anyone would like their kids seeing that, regardless that yes, the sheep is being transported to an abattoir.

So apologies if any truck drivers took any offence to my original post, as certainly NONE was intended on my part.

Jac.

**Mont5.0** · 04-10-2008, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Russell

Mmmmmm, I'm a bit disappointed that a perfectly good leg of lamb has gone to waste

Agreed!! Maybe get on RSPCA forum and have a winge there. Its a part of life, as are car accidents that we witness.

XRchic · 04-10-2008, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mont5.0

Agreed!! Maybe get on RSPCA forum and have a winge there. Its a part of life, as are car accidents that we witness.

1. I wasnt whinging.
2. Yes it is part of life.
3. One can comment on the less pleasant aspects of life without whinging.
4. Life (and aspects of it) are what you discuss on a forum, if Im not mistaken.
5. Ive seen plenty of car accidents discussed on here too...
6. I have chops on the BBQ as we speak!!!

:

bonspeed · 04-10-2008, 08:15 PM

sheep in trucks.............pigs in space.........whats next?

**Mont5.0** · 04-10-2008, 08:18 PM

not meant to come across arrogant, maybe get a mod to move to the bar.

**Burnout** · 04-10-2008, 08:19 PM

The RSPCA & the Transport industry have just agreed to new regulations for the carrying of domesticated animals.

No system is perfect and there is not a Farmer/Carrier/Butcher etc. in this country that I know of who wants to waste a decent leg of lamb/leg of veal/whatever.
The safe, human carriage of domestic animals in this country has come a million miles in the last two decades and is respected around the world.

XRchic · 04-10-2008, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mont5.0

not meant to come across arrogant, maybe get a mod to move to the bar.

No probs.

Smoke Pursuit · 04-10-2008, 08:50 PM

Wait till you see a bulls head hanging out the side get hit by a truck going the other way, then youll be distressed!

They have to be loaded tight so they cant move around, same as cattle, pigs, goats, they have pens on the trucks so they are squeezed in, that way they cant lay down, transfer the weight or any of that.. You dont hear much in most trucks today with the exhausts running up behind the cab, its not like driving a car.

**GasoLane** · 04-10-2008, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XRchic

So apologies if any truck drivers took any offence to my original post, as certainly NONE was intended on my part.

Jac.

I could'nt be offended by someone who actually likes my Blueprint Beetle

**GasoLane** · 04-10-2008, 09:55 PM

Of course if the driver was a Kiwi he'd probably be out giving it mouth to mouth resuscitation

[damn, where did I put that flame suit?]

Rodp · 04-10-2008, 10:42 PM

It's unlikely there was much the truck driver could do. My brother in law owns a sheep farm and does cart his sheep around. Had it been his truck, I doubt he would have cared much. It's a tough life out there. One bellowing sheep with a half severed leg wouldn't even get him to raise an eyebrow let alone take any action.

He had one of his favorite cattle dogs he uses to muster his sheep in the back of his ute when, for whatever reason, it jumped out the back when he was doing a decent clip and broke its leg. He climed out of the car, grabbed a screwdriver and (I'm sure you can fill in the blank)

I'd imagine it would be distressing to see and I know I wouldn't particularly care much to see it, but it wouldn't be the worst thing I'd seen happening to a sheep after staying on their farm for a few weeks.

CAMS290 · 05-10-2008, 07:40 PM

You want to see what the live stock is like after being in the rear trailer of a triple road train for 500k's on a dirt road....They always load the naggs on the 3rd and 2nd trailer...and the good ones on the front trailer.

Imagine yourself standing in a dust storm for 5 hours, ingesting dust....get the picture ?

There are DPI codes of practice regarding transportation of livestock regarding maintenance of equipment, handling of livestock, watering of stock in the heat etc... but they are rarely enforced due to the lack of government resources.

I did livestock briefly quite a few years back, but it wasnt my cup of tea