Case a reminder to check stock
A man has been fined $3000 in Kalgoorlie Magistrates Court after being convicted in February of cruelty under the Animal Welfare Act 2002, relating to a bull with an ingrown horn.
In January 2017, a Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development inspector from the Livestock Compliance Unit identified the injured bull during an inspection at the Muchea Livestock Centre.
The bull had been transported from a pastoral property in the Goldfields. The ingrown horn had penetrated the skull by 9cm on one side and the wound was infected.
The offender was convicted of one charge of failing to take reasonable steps to alleviate harm to an animal.
Department principal compliance inspector Charlotte McIntyre said it was reasonable to expect that an ingrown horn such as this should have been identified and treated when the animal was yarded. This prosecution follows a number of convictions for similar offences in 2018.
It is essential that animals are observed regularly to pick up an injury or illness before it becomes severe. If something is identified, it needs to be promptly treated. The department has a number of useful fact sheets and videos available that assist livestock producers with ensuring their animals receive appropriate standards of care.
You can also find out more about the department’s animal welfare responsibilities online.
To report suspected cruelty to animals, contact the RSPCA on 1300 278 3589.