A government probe has been launched after distressing photos emerged allegedly showing cattle being pulled to the ground with ropes and slaughtered, without being stunned first.
Australia’s Department of Agriculture is investigating the alleged inhumane killing of the cows, which reportedly took place in an Indonesian car park.
Animal rights charity Animals Australia has filed a complaint about the incident which it claims occurred during the Islamic ‘Festival of Sacrifice’ in the Indonesian province of North Sumatra.
The charity said the treatment of the cattle breached Exporter Supply Chain Assurance System (ESCAS) requirements.
ESCAS came about after a live export ban was introduced in 2011 to ensure positive animal welfare outcomes for Australian livestock sent overseas.
Export company International Livestock Exports (ILE) has suspended the facility from where the cattle were originally shipped, pending the outcome of the department's investigation, the Guardian reported.
ILE said in a statement "the person responsible for the misappropriation of cattle has been terminated".
Animals Australia said it found out about the alleged case of animal cruelty on August 14 and a final report on the incident will be published on September 13.
"It is deeply concerning that Australian cattle have once again been subjected to roping slaughter in Indonesia, and that the only reason this has become known, is because of the efforts of a charity," the charity said in a statement.
"ESCAS was established to prevent such horrific treatment.”
Australia's Department of Agriculture said it did not comment on investigations that are in progress.
