More than 500 horses found dead at alleged illegal knackery near Wagga Wagga

Officers from the council, supported by members of NSW police, entered the property with a view to investigating potential offences under the Protection of the Environment Operations Act, which relates to the disposal of animal carcasses.

“Once the inspection of the property commenced it became clear that the slaughtering of horses had been occurring for a long period of time,” the council said in a statement.

Guardian Australia understands Wagga councillors were briefed on the incident on Monday night and told that a cool room containing horse meat had been located on the property.

Guardian Australia spoke to the operator, who disputed the council’s allegations about the number of horses found.

The operator said there were 15 to 20 carcasses on the property of horses they had killed to make pet food for their own animals, not for commercial purposes.

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