A TALLANGATTA farmer who failed to provide veterinary care to sheep suffering severe fly strike has been found guilty of animal cruelty offences.
In Albury Local Court yesterday Magistrate Peter Dare SC sentenced Stephen Blair to a 12-month good behaviour bond.
Blair, of “Telford”, Hindleton Road, was found guilty on 55 counts of failing to provide veterinary treatment to sheep and on two charges of failing to exercise care.
He was found not guilty of three counts of committing an act of aggravated cruelty.
The maximum penalty under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act is a $5500 fine and/or six months imprisonment.
“I am not of the view that this is a worse case example of its type,” Mr Dare said during senten-cing.
“The offender appears before the court as a person of prior good character.
“I doubt he will re-offend.”
Mr Dare also ordered Blair to pay $35,000 costs.
Mr Dare found that Blair was in charge of the sheep on Little Billabong Station, near Holbrook, despite Blair’s former wife being the beneficial owner.
He said while the sheep arrived at the station without Blair’s knowledge or permission, Blair asked contractors to arrange shearing and employees managed the sheep from time to time, including providing fodder.
He said Mrs Blair’s involvement with the management, care and control of the sheep was “minimal to zero”.
The RSPCA laid the charges after multiple inspections in late 2006 of sheep at the station.
Some of the sheep suffering fly strike had to be destroyed.
RSPCA inspector Lionel Smith said the ruling sent a clear message to farmers about their duty of care towards animals.
He said the condition of the sheep was “appalling” but it was not the worst case he had seen.
But Mr Smith said 99.9 per cent of farmers took good care of their animals.
“It’s only the very instance when someone does the wrong thing and comes before the courts,” he said.
Conditions of Blair’s bond include notifying the RSPCA in writing of the location, number and type of animals he is in charge of and advising in writing every three months of any change in animal particulars.
Blair must also allow RSPCA inspectors and veterinarians to inspect any animal he is in charge of upon reasonable notice and obey reasonable directions of the inspectors in relation to the care of any animal.