Kenilworth Dairies owner John Cochrane guilty of animal cruelty

High-profile Queensland farmer and owner of Kenilworth Dairies, Selwyn John Cochrane, has been fined for “accidentally” using a cattle prod.

Mary Valley businessman and dairy farmer Selwyn John Cochrane has been fined for animal cruelty offences.

Prominent Queensland dairy farmer and businessman Selwyn John Cochrane has been fined $2500 for animal cruelty.

The owner of Kenilworth Dairies pleaded guilty in Caboolture Magistrates Court on Friday to charges of failing to comply with a compulsory code requirement, and being cruel to an animal and causing it unreasonable or unnecessary pain.

The charges stem from an incident at a Caboolture property on April 15, 2020.

It is understood the matter fell within the scope of the Queensland Agriculture and Fisheries Department.

Speaking to the Gympie Times on Monday, Cochrane said he was “remorseful” for the incident, which happened while he was trying to help a cow that was being stood on by another.

When trying to get that cow off he “accidentally hit the prodder on (another) cow’s shoulder instead of the head”, he said.

“It’s upsetting … we take care of our cows like they’re our pets.”

“But what was I supposed to do?

“Am I supposed to leave the cow in pain?”

Cochrane was also ordered to pay $99 in court costs.

No conviction was recorded.