Animal-rights activists were today planning to form a human shield around an animal sanctuary where sheep and goats are due to be slaughtered as part of the foot and mouth cull. Around 100 protesters were expected at the Mossburn Animal Centre, a refuge for rescued animals in Hightae, Dumfries and Galloway, the heart of one of the areas in Britain worst affected by the disease.
Sheep and goats at the sanctuary, which is within 3km of the nearest infected farm, are due to be slaughtered under the firebreak cull designed to halt the spread of the disease. Activist Amanda Richards, from Wolverhampton, said about a dozen protesters had so far arrived at the site, where slaughter teams are expected to arrive in the next few days.
She said: "There is no need to kill any of these animals. They would live out their natural lives on the sanctuary. We are going to do everything we can to keep them from the animals. I have spoken to a large number of people who have pledged to come here and stand between the officials and the animals."
Around 100 activists from across Scotland and England were expected to arrive at the centre from this morning to take part in the protest, she added. The sanctuary's manager, Juanita Wilson, said she was planning to take legal action to prevent the slaughter of her 14 goats and three sheep.
