Published 23/11/2012

We have received reports that 4 lorry loads of sheep arrived today at Ramsgate, without the prior knowledge of the Port, the Police or the Government Animal Health Inspectors.

This new tactic may be an attempt to catch local protestors, such as the dedicated campaigners of KAALE and TALE, as well as the RSPCA, unawares.

Fortunately attentive locals spotted the lorries and were able to alert Compassion, as well as other campaign groups.

These are thought to be the very same sheep who endured the aborted sailing earlier in the week, when the ship had to turn back to Folkestone due to adverse weather conditions. The stress from these repeated journeys, in addition to loading and unloading will have impacted on the sheep's welfare. Their final destination is unknown but they may face inhumane conditions at the end of their journey.

We believe that protestors are currently on their way to the offices of Thanet District Council, seeking an explanation for this irregular sailing.

The exporters continue to use the Court Injunction, which lifted the temporary suspension of live animals exports through Ramsgate, to continue this inhumane trade - in the face of clear opposition from both the public and the Local Authority.

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