May 5, 2014
In what the RSPCA says may well prove to be a landmark decision, two Gordonvale pig hunters today pleaded guilty to animal cruelty charges in Cairns Magistrates Court.
The court heard that on two separate occasions Tom Chang and Nang Chang encouraged their dogs to attack young piglets.
The attacks lasted for several minutes and the piglets were in extreme pain and distress before eventually being knifed and put out of their misery.
The plight of the pigs came to light after a video was posted on Facebook and the matter was reported to the RSPCA.
“What worries me is that this type of practice is not uncommon,” RSPCA Qld Chief Inspector Daniel Young said.
“While you are legally allowed to use dogs to flush out pigs you are not allowed to use the dogs to attack any pig, feral or domestic.
“The video clearly shows the men encouraging their dogs to attack and that is deemed animal cruelty.”
Tom Chang and Nang Chang were both fined $5000 plus costs.
“We hope this sends a clear message to pig hunters that animal cruelty will not be tolerated,” Chief Inspector Young said.
