General News
30 September, 2024
Sheep producer fined $10,000 for cruelty
A West Wimmera farmer has pleaded guilty to animal cruelty and been fined $10,000 with a conviction recorded against his name.
In July 2022 in response to a complaint Agriculture Victoria officers visited a property at Patyah, near Edenhope, and found more than 100 sheep which had died within the past 1-2 weeks.
The farmer, Norbert Wende, was the owner and manager of 440 sheep which were split into two mobs at Patyah.
The pasture was short and there was no supplementary feed.
The sheep were emaciated and were suffering from parasitic burdens and bottle jaw.
In Horsham Magistrates Court recently, the magistrate considered Wende’s admission of guilt, the absence of a criminal history and the defendant’s cooperation with Agriculture Victoria officers.
He also took into account that remedial action had been taken and there had been no further offending since 2022.
However, the magistrate said this was a serious case of neglect for which a conviction was warranted.
Agriculture Victoria acting compliance manager Penny Lucas said the weight of the fine with conviction sent a very clear message to livestock producers that animal cruelty would not be tolerated by the Victorian Government or by the community.
“Apart from the obvious pain and suffering of the animals, animal welfare breaches can jeopardise Victoria’s reputation as a humane and responsible producer of food which can, in turn, affect all producers,” Ms Lucas said.
Anyone wanting to make a specific complaint regarding livestock welfare can contact Agriculture Victoria on 136 186 or aw.complaint@agriculture.vic.gov.au