Animal Welfare Notices issued to SA's Andgar Piggery after 14 euthanased by RSPCA

Warning: This article contains distressing content about the alleged mistreatment of animals. It also includes graphic images of injuries and animal living conditions that may cause distress.

The ABC has chosen to exclude some of the more confronting images provided.

Officials have euthanased over a dozen pigs at a South Australian piggery following two raids by the RSPCA.

The investigation was prompted after an animal rights group leaked footage appearing to show pigs feeding on carcasses, and living alongside dead and decomposing animals.

The owners and manager of Andgar Piggery at Dublin, 50 minutes outside Adelaide, were also issued with 21 Animal Welfare Notices instructing them to "take immediate action in regards to conditions and maintenance".

The ABC reviewed the vision which, according to Victorian-based Farm Transparency Project (FTP), was taken on June 14 and 20.

The group's executive director Chris Delforce said the footage was shot inside four sheds where livestock were housed, but the ABC could not independently verify the filming location.

"It's clear that the South Australian community is shocked by what they've seen at this piggery and there's a question now about how it was able to get this bad in the first place, " he said.

"What it seems to us is that the RSPCA simply does not have the resources to be able to effectively monitor the welfare of animals in farms across the state.

"You have to wonder how much cruelty … is going unseen, unnoticed.

Mr Delforce said FTP had so far not experienced any legal repercussions for entering the Dublin facility unlawfully, but the group had been fined for illegally entering other agricultural premises in the past to film animals and their living conditions.

"We understand that's always going to be a risk, doing what we do, and we accept that there are going to be legal consequences," he said.

"But without us taking those risks and facing those consequences nothing will get seen by the public.

"Nothing will get done. There'll be no incentive for the government or the RSPCA to actually step in and do anything."

In a statement, the SA government said it was aware that RSPCA South Australia was investigating a complaint relating to the piggery but "will not provide commentary on an ongoing investigation".

"The state government fully funds RSPCA SA to enforce the act and has provided RSPCA SA an extra $16 million over four years since the 2024-'25 state budget for animal welfare compliance activities," it said.

"The government hopes the RSPCA SA finalise their investigation soon and if they find that charges should be laid that they do this expeditiously.

"South Australians have no tolerance for acts of animal cruelty."

In the wake of media coverage of the footage, dozens of protesters gathered outside the site on Long Plains Road on Saturday to demand the closure of the facility.

RSPCA's investigation progressing

In a statement on Tuesday, RSPCA South Australia said the investigation into alleged animal welfare breaches at Andgar Piggery was still progressing.

Along with the 21 Animal Welfare Notices, the RSPCA said its inspectors would continue to monitor the operation with "spot inspections".

The owners and manager had also been formally interviewed, and the RSPCA said it was "now preparing a comprehensive brief of evidence with a view to instigate court proceedings".

"We acknowledge the distress and concern these images have caused and we want to assure the community that we take any allegation of animal cruelty extremely seriously," its statement added.

"Our Inspectors work diligently with the South Australian Police and other relevant agencies to fully investigate allegations of animal ill-treatment and bring offenders before the courts."

The RSPCA did not clarify if charges had been laid.

Piggery owner Andgar Proprietors declined to comment.

Under South Australia's amended Animal Welfare Act those found guilty of animal cruelty face maximum fines of up to $250,000 and/or 10 years jail for the aggravated ill-treatment of an animal.

A corporation can now be fined up to $1 million for mistreating animals.

The reforms, which came into effect in February, also include a proactive "duty of care" provision requiring pet owners to provide animals with a minimum level of care such as adequate food and water.

The RSPCA and PIRSA were contacted for further comment.