By CASEY NEILL
RSPCA Victoria is investigating animal cruelty claims levelled against Dandenong Poultry Auctions.
The RSPCA’s chief operating officer Jon McGregor appealed for public help to verify two anonymous complaints received in the past month or so about the sales, held at 21 Mills Road, Dandenong, on Tuesday mornings.
“Our inspectors have attended the market, accompanied by City of Greater Dandenong officers, and provided directions to purchasers on how to appropriately handle and transport the birds,” he said.
Mr McGregor said the RSPCA had viewed a video said to have been filmed at Dandenong Poultry Auctions and “is appealing to the public to help identify the individuals depicted in the video”.
The footage shows people using tape to bind birds’ legs together, and to bundle multiple birds together.
Mr McGregor said the society was trying to establish whether breaches of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act (POCTAA) had been committed and “charges would be filed accordingly”.
“This investigation is ongoing,” he said.
He urged anyone with information about animal cruelty to call RSPCA Victoria on 9224 2222 or visit rspcavic.org.
City of Greater Dandenong regulatory services manager Peter Shelton said the council did not have officers authorised under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act to investigate such matters.
“As a result, all matters such as this are referred directly to the RSPCA,” he said.
“The council will provide assistance to the RSPCA in these matters if, and when, requested.”
Damien Wirtanen clarified reports that he owned the auction.
“I don’t own the auction. I auction,” he said.
“The auction’s been here for over 30 years.
“It used to be at the old Dandenong sale yards.
“I volunteer my time to auction for them because I like auctioning.”
Mr Wirtanen said more than 300 chickens moved through the auction house each week.
“I may get an incident once or twice a year,” he said.
He said animal welfare advocates had been attending the auction for about seven weeks, that he’d watched their footage “and what I’ve seen is not what should be done”.
“But I can’t categorially say to you that that was at our auction,” he said.
Mr Wirtanen said he was co-operating with the RSPCA and was happy for its representatives to attend the auction and stamp out any inappropriate behaviour they found.
“I have a duty of care to look after them (the birds) while they’re on this property,” he said.
“If people tell me about something that goes on that I haven’t seen, I stop the auction and I go and sort it out.
“I’ve got nothing to hide. There’s nothing illegal going on.”
Mr Wirtanen said auction attendees came from many cultural backgrounds.
“I’m trying to educate people that there are things you did in your country that you can’t do here,” he said.
