A LIVESTOCK transporter from Keith has pleaded guilty to two charges of animal cruelty and received a $5000 fine with conviction in the Horsham Magistrates Court.
The 51-year-old man faced court last week in relation to animal cruelty charges for a consignment of sheep that he transported to an abattoir in western Victoria in May 2018.
During the journey a number of sheep went down in the truck and were unable to walk upon arrival at the destination.
At the destination, the transporter proceeded to throw a number of sheep from the top of the unloading ramp and back of the truck and they fell from an elevated height to the ground below.
The transporter then left live and dead sheep piled on the ground and failed to seek appropriate attention or treatment for the sheep that were still alive.
Agriculture Victoria submitted to the court the transporter had a fundamental duty of care which he failed to exercise, resulting in further suffering to the already weakened animals.
The Magistrate said the seriousness of the offences led to imposing a conviction on the offender.
Agriculture Victoria animal health and welfare Compliance manager Daniel Bode said livestock transporters had a responsibility for the welfare of all animals under their care from the time they were loaded through to and including unloading.
“If you find livestock that are weak, ill or injured, they simply can not travel,” he said.
“Any animals in distress must be handled humanely and never thrown or dropped during any stage of the transportation process.
“This case is a reminder livestock transporters must exercise their duty of care – and the mistreatment of animals during transportation will not be tolerated by the court or the community.”
