Victorian farmer guilty of animal cruelty for a second time

A northern Victorian farmer has been fined after dead sheep were found in a water trough at his property two years ago.

Bruce Cook pleaded guilty to five charges, including three charges of aggravated cruelty, in the Kerang Magistrates’ Court.

A northern Victorian farmer has been fined and found guilty of aggravated animal cruelty after dead sheep were found in a water trough at his property two years ago.

Appearing in the Kerang Magistrates’ Court, Bruce Cook pleaded guilty to three charges of aggravated cruelty, one charge of breaching an adjourned undertaking imposed in 2021 and was also found guilty of transporting livestock not able to walk on its own.

Agriculture Victoria animal health and welfare compliance manager Daniel Bode said authorised inspectors attended Mr Cook’s Lake Charm property in March 2022 after receiving a complaint.

“A large, circular, concrete water trough partially buried in the ground contained seven deceased sheep plus one which was alive. All had exceptionally low body condition,” Mr Bode said.

“The trough was designed for larger animals as sheep troughs have shallower sides to enable them to escape if they enter.

“The water had faeces and debris floating in it and the carcasses had started to break down.

“The trough was the only water source for the sheep.

“The sheep which was alive was unable to support its own weight and was euthanized by

inspectors. A lamb with an injury to its limb, unable to walk, was also euthanised.”

Bruce Cook at a Pakenham Store Sale in 2018. Picture: Andy Rogers

Magistrate Dominic Lennon imposed an aggregate fine of $2000 to Mr Cook along with a Community Corrections Order with conviction for 12 months, with a condition he perform 100 hours of community service.

Costs were also awarded in the sum of $5288.33, while a control order was imposed for two years with conditions to provide proper and sufficient food, drink and water, to provide veterinary or other appropriate attention or treatment and monitoring.

Magistrate Lennon also re-sentenced Mr Cook for the 2021 offences which involved aggravated cruelty and failing to provide proper and sufficient drink for which he originally received an adjourned undertaking with a condition to pay $5000.

In re-sentencing, the Court took into account Mr Cook had paid the $5000 and he was re-sentenced to a fine of $500 with conviction.

Three years ago Cook pleaded guilty to two charges, one for cruelty and one aggravated cruelty offence, after a water source pump failed, resulting in the death of 32 cattle during a six-day period of extreme heat.

At the time of the incident, Cook was on a trip interstate and did not supervise the cattle himself or arrange for anyone to supervise the cattle in his absence.

Cook previously ran the Kaktus Point Charolais stud, before it was dispersed in 2019.

He was also the creator of the Lake Charm bonking bales sculpture, which was burnt by vandals in 2015.

Bruce Cook's hay bale sculpture, at Lake Charm, near Kerang.