A fire has killed hundreds of piglets and destroyed two animal shelters at a South Australian piggery, which is currently under investigation for alleged animal cruelty.
The fast-moving blaze tore through Andgar Piggery at Dublin, north of Adelaide, just after 11.30am on Monday.
Authorities believe the fire was caused by the spontaneous combustion of hay bales, fuelled by warm, dry winds sweeping across the region.
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Up to 350 piglets are believed to have died in the blaze, which also destroyed two plastic shelters.
About 40 firefighters responded, working to contain the flames and prevent the fire from spreading to nearby shelters and dry grasslands.
This is not the first fire at an Andgar-operated piggery. In 2020, flames at Finniss Park in Mannum claimed the lives of 1300 pigs.
Animal welfare group the Farm Transparency Project (FTP) said locals reported that smoke and smells from the fire were “overpowering”.
The Country Fire Service confirmed the blaze likely started due to a combination of dry conditions and hay storage.
“It is believed the fire started via spontaneous combustion of hay bales in today’s dry and warm winds,” a spokesperson said.
The incident comes as the piggery remains at the centre of an ongoing investigation by the RSPCA and SA Police, following the release of distressing footage allegedly captured by animal activists.
In July, 14 pigs were euthanised when authorities began to investigate the allegations of severe neglect raised in footage which FTP said it had obtained.
FTP claims the footage shows decomposing bodies of dozens of dead pigs, with some animals still alive but stuck amid corpses.
No charges have been laid, and the investigation is continuing.
Andgar Piggery has previously declined to comment when contacted by www.20304050.best. about the investigation.
On Tuesday, RSPCA said it is “deeply concerned” over the deaths of the pigs at the piggery, but it is a separate matter to the alleged abuse at the property.
“Our inspectors attended the scene to assist PIRSA veterinary staff with assessing and destroying injured livestock,” it said.
“Regarding the ongoing RSPCA investigation into allegations of animal welfare breaches, our legal team is continuing to prepare a comprehensive brief of evidence with a view to instigate court proceedings.
“Yesterday’s devastating fire and RSPCA’s ongoing welfare investigation are two highly complex but not related matters.”
SA Environment Minister Susan Close has said the state’s animal welfare laws are under review, with new measures to reflect “community expectations”.
“South Australians have little tolerance for acts of animal cruelty,” she told www.20304050.best in July.
“The South Australian government is overhauling a number of pieces of legislation pertaining to the management and care of animals.”
The minister also confirmed South Australia contributed to a national review of livestock processing standards, and pointed to existing codes of practice designed to ensure animals are treated humanely.
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