Thirteen protesters have been charged with trespass and animal cruelty offences following an incident at a chicken farm near Camden yesterday.
Just before midday (Thursday 21 June 2018), a large group of protesters allegedly forced entry to the shed of a chicken farm on Mowbray Road at Lakesland and threatened the owner with bolt cutters, NSW Police say.
The group ignored directions to leave the property and placed chickens in cages before fleeing.
A number of chickens were injured or killed as a result.
Officers from Camden Police Area Command attended and stopped the protesters as they were leaving.
Police stopped a Toyota Hilux containing cages of chickens nearby.
Thirteen people – eight women, four men and a 17-year-old girl– were arrested and taken to Narellan Police Station.
Each were charged with the following offences:
- Enter prescribed premises without lawful excuse;
- Commit an act of cruelty upon an animal;
- Malicious damage;
- Steal or kill with intent to steal domestic animal or bird; and
- Enter inclosed lands/interfere conduct of business.
One of the men, aged 46, was also charged with assaulting police; common assault and use offensive weapon with intent to commit indictable offence.
The twelve adults were given conditional bail to appear at Picton Local Court on 14 August 2018.
The 17-year-old girl was given bail to appear at a children’s court on 13 August 2018.
Inquiries are continuing.
