Animal Cruelty

Pig farmer fined for cruelty Tasmania News - The Mercury - The Voice of Tasmania

A WINNALEAH pig farmer has been fined $2500 and his company $10,000 for mistreating pigs.
Gary William Oliver, of Racecourse Rd, Winnaleah, and Longeronong Livestock Pty Ltd both pleaded guilty to three counts of omitting to do a duty which resulted in the serious disablement of an animal on March 26, 2009.

They also pleaded guilty to one count of omitting to do a duty which resulted in causing pain to an animal and one count of management of an animal reasonably likely to result in pain or suffering.

Mr Oliver pleaded not guilty to one count of failing to comply with an officer's instruction -- a charge Magistrate John Myer adjourned indefinitely.

Defence counsel Grant Tucker told the court Mr Oliver would leave the industry that he had been involved in for 30 years.

He said he had no prior convictions.

He said the company had 1800 pigs and that the prosecution related to just three pigs.

Mr Tucker tendered a veterinarian's report which found that apart from the three pigs, the rest were of an appropriate standard.

Mr Myer said the penalty sent a message to farmers.

The court heard that the sows had maggots crawling out of their bodies and that Mr Oliver had failed to have the pigs put down.

It also heard that some of the pens were not cleaned for several months.

One pig had been ill for several months but Mr Oliver had left her in the hope she would gain weight so he could sell her.

The court heard that the farrowing crates had concrete floors and that some pigs had infected pressure sores.

Many pigs received irregular water because water nipples were blocked.

The prosecution came about after an animal activist entered the property to film conditions on the farm.

Animal activist Emma Haswell said yesterday that Mr Oliver had escaped lightly.

"It's ridiculous," Ms Haswell said.

"The penalties should have been much more serious ... he admitted he left them there for months.

"That place was like a concentration camp for animals."