Former South Gippsland councillor Jeremy Rich guilty of animal cruelty
A former member of the South Gippsland council has been fined $50,000 and slapped with a 10-year ban on owning farm animals.
Victoria
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A former South Gippsland councillor has been found guilty of a suite of animal cruelty charges after at least 44 sheep died on his property.
Jeremy Rich was found guilty in the Latrobe Valley Magistrates’ Court of 16 charges, including one of aggravated cruelty.
Rich has been fined $50,000 with conviction and banned for 10 years from owning or being a person in charge of any farm animal.
The court heard between March and April 2020 there was a large outbreak of flystrike and
gastrointestinal parasitism in a flock of more than 2300 sheep at Rich’s Walkerville property.
Agriculture Victoria officers visited the property in early March 2020 after a complaint about sick and dying sheep.
Officers attended Rich’s Walkerville property nine other times, issuing several Notices to Comply.
Officers witnessed numerous sheep with flystrike, three were euthanised and 41 recently deceased sheep were found on the farm.
During sentencing, Magistrate Tony Burns said Rich had prioritised money over the welfare of the animals, causing them significant suffering.
On August 20 last year Rich pleaded guilty at the Latrobe Valley Magistrates’ Court to multiple drug possession charges, while other charges were dropped.
Agriculture Victoria compliance manager Daniel Bode said insufficient action was taken by Rich even after Notices to Comply were issued.
Mr Bode also said the 10-year disqualification order was a significant penalty.
“It sends a very clear message that those who continually commit offences against animals should not have the privilege and opportunity to care for them in the future,” Mr Bode said.
“This is a reminder to all livestock producers that animal cruelty will not be tolerated by the
Victorian Government or our community.”
To make a complaint regarding livestock welfare, contact Agriculture Victoria on 136 186 or aw.complaint@agriculture.vic.gov.au.
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Originally published as Former South Gippsland councillor Jeremy Rich guilty of animal cruelty
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