Sheep, goats and llamas forced to have their babies at the Melbourne

How many pregnant sheep, llamas and goats birth during transport to the Melbourne Show?

To whom it may concern

It has come to my attention that during the course of the Melbourne Show (Victoria, Australia) which commences on September 24th, animals such as sheep, llamas and goats are forced to give birth in small enclosures, in a noisy shed in front of crowds of people. I find this quite disturbing and believe it exhibits utter contempt for such animals who have been deprived of the right to give birth in a less stressful environment. I don't believe small pens in a large shed in front of noisy people would be classed as a normal, stress free environment.

To expect animals to give birth in an environment such as a large, noisy shed in small pens with no privacy is truly disrespectful, and clearly ignores the needs of pregnant animals.

I understand that the idea behind farmed animals birthing at the Melbourne Show is to educate those who would ordinarily not have the opportunity to witness a farmed animal give birth, however surely those who organise for these pregnant animals to be housed in small pens to birth in full view of people at the Melbourne Show must know that this is an extremely distressing experience for animals.

I firmly believe that animals giving birth in such conditions is in breach of Section 9 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 (POCTA)

One also has to wonder how many farmed animals birth while they are being transported to the Melbourne Show? Or are precautions taken so this does not happen? If so what precautions?

I ask that the Melbourne Show consider not having pregnant animals birthing in such contrived surroundings.

I trust that you decide to make the appropriate, ethical decision.

Yours sincerely

[Your name]