A Goulburn Broken farmer recently pleaded guilty to animal cruelty, at the Shepparton Magistrates Court and was fined $10,000 with conviction.

Peter Sandals pleaded guilty to three aggravated cruelty charges and one failure to provide veterinarian or other appropriate attention or treatment under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 (POCTA).

The court also ordered the accused be subject to monitoring for a period of 5 years to ensure all cattle under Mr Sandles ownership and care receive proper and sufficient supervision and drink.

In April 2023 Agriculture Victoria officers attended the property at Invergordon, to follow up an animal welfare report.

Agriculture Victoria officers observed empty water troughs and approximately 47 cattle in poor body condition and dehydrated. Twenty cattle had recently died and 7 were humanely euthanised by the officers.

There was also a deceased cow with a horn penetrating the temporal and frontal lobe.

The Magistrate commented how this case was gut-wrenching, and animals are living creatures that feel emotions and experience distress.

Agriculture Victoria Acting Compliance Manager Penny Lucas said the weight of the fine with conviction sends a very clear message to livestock producers that animal cruelty will not be tolerated by the Victorian Government or our 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.’

Source: Agriculture Victoria. Anyone wishing to make a specific complaint regarding livestock welfare can contact Agriculture Victoria on 136 186 or aw.complaint@agriculture.vic.gov.au