Changes prompted by probe

LOCKYER Valley Regional Council has announced a raft of changes to the Laidley Horse Saleyards in the wake of a Biosecurity Queensland investigation.

After a meeting of council on Wednesday, and another between councillors and the auctioneers of the site yesterday, LVRC revealed access to water would be made available in every pen at the site before the next sales later this month.

The RSPCA and Biosecurity Queensland had investigated claims that sick horses were left without water and shade for the entire day of the last sales after reports, images and video footage appeared online.

LVRC owns the site and a spokesman confirmed that Biosecurity Queensland would attend the next few auctions at the facility to ensure the improvements meet their requirements.

“We agreed on some procedures that will mitigate the impact of weather on animals while they are in the care of the auctioneers,” the council’s executive manager of corporate and community services David Lewis said.

“We’re hoping to install taps in the next week to the lanes in the saleyards that will provide water or the availability of water to all pens in the area.

“One of the fundamental changes we agreed with the auctioneers is that all animals are to be watered upon being received into the facility.”

Mr Lewis said the site was found to be “fully compliant” with regulations.