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Cattle Owner Charged With Cruelty

A cattle owner has been fined $1000 after pleading guilty in the LaTrobe Law Courts in Morwell to charges of cruelty to his livestock.

By Department of Primary Industries - 6th July 2007 - Back to News

The charges laid by the Victorian Department of Primary Industries (DPI) under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, involved cattle on a property at Rokeby near Warragul, following prolonged lack of feed, limited access to water and overstocking.

The charges included omitting to do an act resulting in unreasonable pain or suffering, and failure to provide veterinary or other appropriate attention or treatment for an animal.

During the hearing on 18 June 2007, DPI Senior Prosecutor, Paul Bolletta, told the court a DPI officer visited the property on numerous occasions in 2006. The officer observed and examined up to 16 cattle in poor condition. A number of cattle were observed to have died from neglect and malnutrition or from becoming bogged in swampy parts of the property.

The man was found guilty and fined $1000 with record of conviction. In addition costs of $96.18 were awarded to DPI.

DPI Acting Principal Animal Health Officer, Stephen Nee, said the case is a reminder for anyone in charge of livestock that they have a duty of care to ensure their livestock do not suffer or die as a result of cruelty or neglect.

Guidelines for the welfare of cattle are contained in the Code of Accepted Farming Practice for the Welfare of Cattle. These codes, and other information, are available from Animal Health staff at DPI offices or at www.dpi.vic.gov.au.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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