Buloke farmer fined, barred from owning animals for 10 years

A Buloke Shire cattle farmer has pleaded guilty to multiple charges in a serious animal cruelty case.

A man has been fined $60,000 and banned for 10 years from owning or being responsible for animals in the Ballarat Magistrate’s Court.

Graeme Hodge, from the Buloke Shire, pleaded guilty to 24 charges of animal cruelty, including several of aggravated cruelty, leading to the death or serious disablement of numerous cattle in his care. The period of offending stretched from 2019 to 2020.

Mr Hodge had been subject to criminal proceedings in 2018 for similar offending, for which he had a conditional Control Order imposed for a period of five years under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986.

Agriculture Victoria Compliance manager Daniel Bode said Mr Hodge owned a number of herds of cattle on several properties and locations within the shire.

According to Agriculture Victoria, negligible record keeping and lack of Property Identification Codes, plus incorrect or no NLIS traceability of the cattle, were also circumstances of the case.

An Agriculture Victoria statement said many of the cattle were in poor condition and without access to proper and sufficient food, resulting in severe malnutrition and extremely low body condition; and that the accused failed to obtain veterinary care for several acutely ill cows, which subsequently had to be euthanised.

Mr Hodge was also charged with several offences in relation to hindering and obstructing officers.

In addition to the 10-year ban, Mr Hodge was fined $60,000, and placed on a two-year community correction order.

Mr Bode said Agriculture Victoria had “zero tolerance to staff being obstructed, threatened or hindered in the course of their duties”.

“The weight of the 10-year disqualification order is significant and will ensure that animals are protected from further pain and suffering at the hands of the accused,” he said.

“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.”

According to court documents, the defendant Graeme Rex Hodge was served with a conviction and two-year community corrections order.

He was fined $60,000 under section 12 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986.

The matter was heard in the Ballarat Magistrates Court yesterday.