Dealing with RSPCA cases

The Animal Welfare Sub-Unit of the NSW Department of Industry and Investment, in association with some members of the Extensive Livestock Industry and Development (ELID) sheep and beef team, have been developing procedures and training to help District Livestock Officers (DLOs) deal with RSPCA cases involving failure to provide animals with food. These procedures are being developed to ensure evidence collected will withstand a courtroom cross-examination. The resources developed will be extended to staff of various organisations involved in animal welfare cases with livestock. Several areas have been identified for future research that will improve these procedures.