13 hens rescued

Animal Liberation Victoria's Openrescue team saved the lives of 13 battery hens from abysmal conditions inside an Australian egg laying factory today (June 22, 2008). The rescue was in solidarity with the ten Austrian animal activists who have been imprisoned without reasonable cause since May 21. Some of the activists are on hunger strike, including Dr Martin Balluch who hasn't eaten for a month and is currently being forcefed inside the prison hospital.

Six activists literally saved the lives of many hens as well as removing them from the putrid shed. Two hens were found near death caught trapped in the wire and baffle plate of their cages, and eight others were rescued from a manure pit filled with oozing excrement, dead bodies, dying hens, beetles, rats and feral cats. When Setha, who was on his first rescue, realised the hens were trapped in the manure pit he immediately jumped down to help them. One of the numerous hens he saved from a sure death of starvation and dehydration in the pit we named Martina in honor of Martin Balluch. This hen was severely emaciated and dehydrated and on death's door, she weighed less than half a kilogram. Martina has incredible spirit and is slowly starting to eat again. Others were ill and weighted down with heavy manure balls.

The last two photos feature Martina. Each Austrian prisoner has a rescued hen named in their honor. Christine for Christian, Christa for Christof, Elmara for Elmar, Felicitas for Felix, Jan for Jan, Jurga for Jurgan, Keva for Kevin, Lea for Leo, Martina for Martin and Sabine for Sabine.

ALV have carried out numerous rescues at this property over ten years and made countless complaints to the authorities, especially about the hens dying in the manure pits. Nobody cares.... the Austrian activists DO! Stand up and be a voice for them and the hens.

Free the Austrian Activists & Free the Animals

Go to this link to email the Austrian Authorities to free the activist prisoners:
 http://www.vgt.at/actionalert/repression/emailappell/index_en.php

Go to this link to email the Austrian Prisoners:
 http://www.vgt.at/actionalert/repression/gefangene/index_en.php

Click here for more photos:
 http://www.directaction.info/images2/Australia_June08/FrameSet.htm