The RSPCA has described conditions inside an Adelaide piggery as the worst they’ve ever dealt with, as five people face dozens of animal cruelty charges over footage showing pigs living in filthy, overcrowded pens, feeding on carcasses, and sick animals trapped beneath piles of dead pigs.
Footage sparks outrage
Distressing footage filmed by animal activists, the Farm Transparency Project (FTP), last June at Andgar Piggery in Dublin shocked even the most hardened inspectors. The video allegedly showed pigs in squalid conditions, prompting a raid by the RSPCA on June 27, 2025. Inspectors were forced to euthanise 14 pigs and issued 21 animal welfare notices, ordering immediate action on conditions and maintenance.
Court appearances
Five people have been charged with animal cruelty offences. On Tuesday, two of the accused - part owners of the piggery Andrew and Alison Goss - fronted court. The remaining three include Lachlan Goss, Garry and Joan Tiss, who were no‑shows at their scheduled first appearance. Lachlan Goss is facing 49 counts of ill‑treatment of an animal. The other four are each charged with 31 offences.
Prosecutors for the RSPCA on Tuesday told the court the conditions were some of the worst they have dealt with. Protester Emily Bakker says the piggery should be shut down entirely. “If that did happen, that would be an Australia‑wide first and potentially internationally as well,” she told 7NEWS outside of court. “(It was) the most horrific thing I have ever seen, and I think for most people, including investigators.”
Investigation details
FTP says its volunteers entered the piggery at night on two occasions in June after being tipped off by a member of the public. The group supplied a 16‑minute clip to the RSPCA on June 26, 2025, prompting an inspection the following day. The full video was posted online on July 13, triggering protests and calls for the piggery to be shut down. Animal Liberation South Australia held a demonstration outside the property on July 19.
Broader concerns
FTP executive director Chris Delforce says the footage reflects a broader failure in animal‑welfare oversight. “This government has earned a perception of gutless inaction,” he said. “Until they stand up to industry lobby groups, we’ll continue to do the government’s work for them.” Acting SA Premier and Environment Minister Susan Close said at the time South Australians had “little tolerance” for animal cruelty and that the government is overhauling legislation to strengthen welfare protections.
All five accused will have to turn up to the next court hearing in August.
