Western Victorian sheep farmer Ian White guilty of animal cruelty

An Ararat sheep farmer has been convicted, fined and banned from owning farm animals for 10 years after about 130 sheep were found dead at his property.

A Western Victorian farmer has been convicted, fined and banned from owning farm animals for 10 years.

A western Victorian sheep farmer has been convicted, fined and banned from owning or being in charge of farm animals for 10 years after more than 130 sheep died at his property.

Ararat farmer Ian White appeared in the Ararat Magistrates’ Court on Friday, September 1 where he was convicted of 13 charges, including cruelty and aggravated cruelty charges involving the death and serious disablement of numerous sheep in his care, and two charges for failing to comply with notices.

The court heard White failed to provide proper and sufficient food and veterinary or other appropriate treatment to about 475 head of sheep at his Buangor property.

Agriculture Victoria officers first attended White’s property, located east of Ararat, in June and July 2021 following an animal welfare complaint. Officers also attended the property in August and October last year.

The court heard officers found sheep to be suffering from starvation, worms and pregnancy toxaemia.

The court also heard despite numerous appearances at White’s property, where compliance notices were issued by officers, 135 sheep were found dead and 15 were seriously disabled.

Magistrate Guillaume Bailin said White’s case very strongly called for disqualification because the suffering of the sheep was serious and profound.

In addition to his ban on owning or managing farm animals White was fined $14,000.

Agriculture Victoria program manager animal health and welfare compliance Daniel Bode said the 10-year disqualification order would ensure animals would be protected from further pain and suffering at the hands of White.

“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.

“Apart from the obvious pain and suffering of the animals, animal welfare breaches can jeopardise Victoria’s reputation as a humane and responsible producer of food, which can, in turn, affect all producers.”

Last month South Gippsland man Wayne Peachey was slapped with a five figure fine and convicted after being found guilty of failing to provide adequate husbandry to hundreds of chickens.