Chavez Jay Edwards charged with serious animal cruelty

A Queensland farmer is accused of trapping a protected sand goanna before torching it with a flamethrower on a property near Maryborough.

Chavez Jay Edwards appeared briefly in court on Monday charged with serious animal cruelty and taking a protected animal.

A farmer accused of using a flamethrower to kill a sand goanna has faced Maryborough Magistrates Court.

Chavez Jay Edwards did not enter a plea when he appeared briefly before the court on Monday, April 28, charged with serious animal cruelty and taking a protected animal.

According to court documents, Mr Edwards allegedly trapped a sand goanna at Talegalla Weir then used a flamethrower to kill it.

Chavez Jay Edwards appeared briefly before the court on Monday charged with serious animal cruelty after allegedly trapping a sand goanna and killing it with a flamethrower.

Duty lawyer Warren Hunter said the charges were serious, asking for a lengthy adjournment so Mr Edwards could seek legal advice.

Magistrate John Milburn said he accepted the charges were serious and asked Mr Edwards to promptly apply for legal aid ahead of his next court appearance.

The matter was adjourned until June 10, 2025.

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Originally published as Chavez Jay Edwards charged with serious animal cruelty