Shocking images of cattle at controversial Boyanup Saleyards emerge following graphic video of cow being shot

Concerns of animal cruelty continue to swirl at the Boyanup Saleyards as graphic new images emerge. The Times has received several images taken at the controversial saleyards just months after a graphic video emerged of a cow being shot, which prompted calls to address the facility. The images show cattle in swamped pens covered in mud, with some showing one animal with its legs splayed out beneath a dividing fence and another showing an allegedly dead or injured cow lying on the floor. Boyanup cattle veterinarian Don Finlay — an outspoken critic of animal welfare standards at the site — said the yard was not up to scratch and was still falling below the accepted standards of other saleyards in WA. He said some upgrades had started at the yard, including new water tanks in some of the pens, but they were still lacking. Just 48 of the 129 pens had the upgraded facilities and none had non-slip mats or roofing to improve animal welfare. Mr Finlay said he was also aware a captive bolt pistol had only recently been acquired to put animals down, following backlash to a video which showed a cow being shot five times which emerged earlier this year. Mr Finlay said the piece of equipment was an industry recognised humane euthanasia device, likely safer than discharging firearms within a gazetted townsite. “Death by gunfire is accepted as a humane method, but it has to be proper dosage of caliber of weapon to do it,” he said. The saleyards are jointly owned by Elders and Nutrien, operating as the joint venture WA Livestock Salesmen’s Association working on crown land, which is held in a joint lease with the Shire of Capel. The shire approved a 10-year expansion to the saleyard’s life cycle earlier this year, despite none of the upgrades which they pushed the operators to complete being done. A Shire of Capel spokesperson said as the lessor, its key interest was in leasing the land to enable an operator to provide a commercial service. “All matters relating to animal welfare, livestock handling practices and operational procedures at the saleyards fall under the responsibility of the facility’s operators — WA Livestock Salesmen’s Association and its two members, Elders and Nutrien,” they said. “The Shire of Capel takes community concerns seriously, however, as lessor we are not in a position to comment on the specific operational issues raised.” A Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development spokesperson said its officers regularly inspect the Boyanup Saleyards and work with the operators, transporters and farmers to support positive animal welfare outcomes in the livestock industry. The spokesperson said there was a requirement under regulation 65 of the Animal Welfare Act for saleyards to have a procedure in place and the means to deal with the humane destruction of animals. A WALSA spokesperson said they operate in full compliance with Occupational Health and Safety laws and the Australian Animal Welfare Standards and Guidelines. The spokesperson said the saleyards’ euthanasia policy was updated in May 2025. “Under the updated policy, a contracted veterinarian is required to attend and assess any animal identified as unfit for sale or transport,” they said. “Where euthanasia is deemed necessary, the veterinarian administers a sedative followed by a lethal injection to ensure the process is carried out humanely. “Over recent years, WALSA has implemented a number of improvements to support animal welfare and operational efficiency at Boyanup, including adjusting sale times, increasing water availability and strengthening onsite management oversight. “Every pen at the facility has access to drinking water, decreased penning capacities and a continuous improvement program is in place to further enhance water quality and pen infrastructure.”