At a contested court hearing in Sale recently, Melbourne resident Pierre DeBondy was found guilty of animal cruelty at his rural property in Woodside North.
Mr DeBondy was fined $25,000 with costs awarded to DEECA of $10,350 and has been disqualified from keeping livestock for a period of 5 years.
The magistrate noted that a calfing heifer and a calf with wire wrapped around its leg had suffered due to Mr DeBondy's lack of care. The magistrate said the calf with the wire injury had been in pain and suffering for some weeks.
Agriculture Victoria Animal Health and Welfare Compliance program manager Daniel Bode said this fine is further to a $25,000 fine Mr DeBondy was issued back in April 2022 when the Latrobe Valley Magistrates' Court imposed a conditional order for 5 years on him as a result of earlier offending against his animals.
'At that time, Mr DeBondy was permitted to keep livestock, provided that he ensured all animals in his care were receiving veterinary attention, adequate supervision and management to remove animals from entanglements as required.
'Since the order was imposed, Agriculture Victoria authorised officers observed multiple breaches of the order,' he said.
Mr Bode said in June 2023, officers located a deceased heifer at his property in Woodside North. Officers determined the heifer had been mated too early. She had been trying to calve for days, and both she and the calf had died as a result of the trauma of giving birth and a lack of supervision.
In September 2023, officers located a young calf with wire wrapped around its leg. The wire was looped and constricting around the limb and had cut into the deeper tissues of the leg. Officers euthanised the calf.
Mr Bode said this is a reminder to all livestock producers that animal cruelty will not be tolerated by the Victorian Government or the community.
'Farmers who work as absentee owners are reminded that adequate supervision is a requirement, particularly during calving, as well as ensuring animals are enclosed in properly fenced environments according to age class.'
