- Published:
- Thursday 2 May 2024 at 4:45 pm
A 40-year-old man has been sentenced to a 12-month Community Correction Order and ordered to complete 160 hours of community work after admitting to animal cruelty offences he filmed involving his pet dogs mauling and killing animals at his property near Myrtleford on multiple occasions between 2020 and 2023.
At Wodonga Magistrates’ Court yesterday, the man pleaded guilty to six charges under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986, including three of aggravated cruelty, for deliberately allowing and encouraging his four dogs to fight with or fatally attack a wombat, a sambar deer, two kangaroos, and two cats.
He also admitted to a seventh charge related to the illegal possession of eastern grey kangaroo remains, an offence under the Wildlife Act 1975.
Presiding Magistrate Watkins described video evidence of the man’s offending as “confronting and disturbing” and stated that “a civilised society does not allow or tolerate” animal cruelty.
In sentencing, His Honour Watkins specified the conditions of the man’s Community Correction Order including that he cannot re-offend or leave Victoria without permission, and he must undertake treatment and rehabilitation programs as directed by Corrections Victoria. Any breaches of this Order could result in imprisonment.
The man was also ordered to pay $686.57 in legal costs.
The result follows an investigation by the Conservation Regulator after receiving information and images from RSPCA Victoria relating to allegations of wildlife cruelty.
Authorised Officers, with assistance from the Game Management Authority, executed a search warrant at the man’s property and recovered photo and video evidence of the offence.
The footage showed different animals being attacked by up to four hunting dogs at a time and the man failing to intervene, he can be heard in several videos actively encouraging the dogs to fight, shouting phrases such as “get him” and “rough him up”.
The recordings also showed one of the kangaroo attacks being committed in front of his young daughter, and the man is heard saying that they were “smashing roos” together.
The Conservation Regulator relies on information from the community to help solve wildlife crime and we urge anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers Victoria on 1800 333 000. Callers can remain anonymous.
In Victoria, the inhumane treatment of animals is illegal, and the court’s decision today is a reminder to the community that the Conservation Regulator does not tolerate animal cruelty and we will take action against offenders.
Greg Chant
Regional Manager Regulatory Operations, Hume Region
The Conservation Regulator takes all allegations of wildlife crime extremely seriously and we will continue to work with other authorities to investigate and prosecute these acts.
Community information is crucial for our wildlife crime investigations, and we encourage the public to contact Crime Stoppers Victoria on 1800 333 000 to report any illegal or suspicious behaviour.
Kate Gavens
Chief Conservation Regulator
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