A Victorian farmer has been fined for note shearing sheep for 12 months.

A VICTORIAN sheep farmer has been disqualified from owning sheep for ten years after he pleaded guilty to three charges of animal cruelty.

Marong sheep farmer Sidney Vains was charged in the Bendigo Magistrates’ Court last Friday for failing to supervise a mob of sheep, failing to shear sheep with excess wool growth and failing to obey a Notice to Comply.

In addition to the ten-year ban, Mr Vains was fined $3000 without conviction and ordered to pay costs of $117.

Between May and November 2019, Agriculture Victoria officers investigated complaints that the farmer had failed to shear a mob of sheep for more than 12 months. Two of his sheep were unable to walk as a result of not being shorn and one had to be euthanised on humane grounds.

Agriculture Victoria animal health and welfare program manager Daniel Bode said the suffering could have been avoided if the farmer had shorn his sheep on an annual basis, which is the accepted farming practice.

Agriculture Victoria said the welfare of animals in Victoria is protected by the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (POCTA) Act and the community expects that animals will be treated with care and respect. The purpose of the POCTA Act is to prevent cruelty to animals, encourage the considerate treatment of animals and improve the level of community awareness about the prevention of cruelty to animals.

The Victorian Government has committed to a modern new Act to replace the current one, in consultation with industry, community and other stakeholders. Agriculture Victoria said a new Act for animal welfare will better meet the needs of industry, community, and government now and into the future.

Anyone wishing to make a specific complaint in regard to livestock welfare can contact Agriculture Victoria on 136 186 or [email protected]

Source: Agriculture Victoria