ABC Stands by Sheep Report Despite Misleading Claims

The ABC is standing by the veracity of a rural news report which claimed animal rights activists had complained about sheep being verbally abused by shearers, despite claims it is highly misleading. ABC Rural reporter Cherie von Hörchner broadcast the story last week, which was headlined: “Complaint lodged over alleged verbal abuse against sheep." Her report, also available on the ABC website, referred to a Peta US complaint about the treatment of sheep on Boorungie Station last year. Though the ABC was aware of the full range of complaints lodged by Peta, which included punching a lamb in the torso and standing on a sheep’s head and neck, they received no specific mention in the story.