The Department of Primary Industries (DPI) has reinforced its commitment to protecting animal welfare, following the sentencing of a Queensland man for multiple offences under the Animal Care and Protection Act 2001 (the Act).

On 25 June 2026, Samuel James Fuller, a south-east Queensland horse trader, was sentenced in the Ipswich Magistrates Court after pleading guilty to 35 offences relating to breaches of Queensland’s animal welfare laws.

The offences included:

• 26 counts of breach of duty of care;

• eight counts of breach of duty of care causing prolonged suffering; and

• one count of breach of duty of care causing serious disability.

The offending primarily involved horses, with a small number of offences relating to dogs. Mr Fuller’s offences span several months from November 2023 until March 2025, with the later offences committed whilst Mr Fuller was on bail.

The most serious of the offences was the breach of duty of care causing serious disability, which related to a horse with a significant, untreated injury to its leg. This horse was humanely euthanised due to its injury.

A further 20 horses were also humanely euthanised due to their condition, 7 horses were seized and 11 horses were the subject of an animal welfare direction.

Mr Fuller was sentenced to a head sentence of six months’ imprisonment, wholly suspended for an operational period of two years in relation to the offence of breach of duty of care causing serious disability, and three months’ imprisonment, wholly suspended for the remaining eight counts of breach of duty of care causing prolonged suffering.

He was further sentenced to a period of two years’ probation, with special conditions aimed at addressing his mental health and behaviour towards animals in relation to the remaining 26 counts of breach of duty of care. All sentences are to be served concurrently.

Convictions were recorded on all charges.

In addition, Mr Fuller was ordered to pay $4,250 in legal professional costs.

The Court also prohibited Mr Fuller from possessing, purchasing or otherwise acquiring:

• any equine animal for 10 years; and

• any canine animal for three years.

In sentencing, Her Honour Magistrate Ganasan said it was “quite distressing” to read the details of the charges against Mr Fuller.

“The photographs are indicative of [significant suffering], and I am certain that the defendant would have recognised it in the cold light of day looking at it that it is – that we do not need to be experts to know that an animal is suffering,” Her Honour said.

Her Honour also noted a clear need for a deterrent sentence.

“And with all due respect, this is why the Prosecution pushes so strongly for specific deterrence against you. It is your behaviour and your behaviour alone that needs to change.”

DPI Deputy Director-General Biosecurity Dr Rachel Chay said this successful prosecution was a big win for animal welfare in Queensland.

“By prosecuting cases like this, the Department of Primary Industries is upholding some of the toughest animal welfare laws in the country and highlighting its priorities when it comes to protecting the welfare of animals,” Dr Chay said.

“Queensland’s animal welfare laws exist to protect animals from neglect and unnecessary suffering, and DPI will continue to take action where those laws are breached.”

Dr Chay said DPI, through Biosecurity Queensland, helped to educate animal owners and carers of their animal welfare responsibilities under the Act as a first step.

“In many cases, we achieve better and faster outcomes through education and compliance action and working directly with the owners,” Dr Chay said.

“However, where standards are not met, we will not hesitate to pursue enforcement action, and that’s exactly what we’ve seen here with this successful prosecution.”

Source: Qld DPI