The conviction of a trucking contractor in the Bunbury Magistrates Court this month for not showing appropriate care to an animal in his care is a reminder that animal welfare is an industry wide responsibility.
On 2 May, Mark Anthony Giorgi was convicted of one charge of animal cruelty under the Animal Welfare Act 2002 for using a cattle prod to move an animal that was injured and had difficulty moving in February 2010.
Magistrate Hamilton found that moving the animal was unnecessary and caused it harm.
Mr Giorgi was fined $2000 and ordered to pay $2174 costs. The abattoir was previously convicted for its role in the incident and fined $15,000.
The Department of Agriculture and Food is responsible for administering the Act.
Department Agriculture Resource Risk Management executive director John Ruprecht said the case was a clear reminder to all livestock transporters that they were legally responsible for the welfare of animals in their care.
“Animal welfare is a shared responsibility of everyone involved in the livestock supply chain, including producers, transporters, saleyard operators and abattoirs,” he said.
Media contact: Jodie Thomson, media liaison +61 (0)8 9368 3937