THE scene awaiting RSPCA officers at a Woodhouselee farm in February was simply horrific.
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Piles of dead cattle, in varying states of decomposition, lay strewn in paddocks while emaciated cattle, too weak to stand, rolled dying in the dirt.
Vernon Robertson, 60, of 1135 Woodhouselee Rd, was convicted in Goulburn Local Court on August 25 on 30 charges of animal cruelty relating to more than 480 cattle.
He had pleaded guilty to 11 counts of aggravated animal cruelty, one count of animal cruelty, five counts of fail to exercise care, two counts of failure to provide veterinary treatment, 10 counts of failure to provide proper and sufficient food, and one count of failure to alleviate pain.
The aggravated cruelty charges related to adult bulls being castrated without pain relief, causing a number of animals to die from blood loss or severe infection over days and weeks. RSPCA officers found cattle with horns and ears that had been cut, and a large number of animals had to be euthanised on the property.
Other animals were left with untreated cancer of the eye, resulting in “handfuls of maggots” reaching up into their skull.
Despite the “ample” presence of hay - “well in excess of 100 bales” - on Robertson’s property, RSPCA officers found starving and emaciated cattle.
“The dead bodies of cattle were scattered around the paddocks and even left in the dams to pollute the drinking water,” RSPCA facts tendered to the court said.
“The age of the bodies indicated they had been dying from months ago up until only days ago.”
RSPCA officers observed two cows having difficulties calving — one was found prone by a dam, she was too weak to stand and had a dead calf half presented.
Machinery and equipment used to distribute food to livestock was also seen on the property.
During the course of over 15 inspections between mid- February and early April 2015, Robertson was found to repeatedly ignore written instructions from RSPCA Inspectors.
“He shows no compassion or understanding in relation to pain and suffering, and has actually tortured and terrified, starved and tormented the animals in his care to a degree that experienced animal cruelty investigators, used to seeing all kind of animal abuse, have been shocked and horrified,” the facts alleged.
Robertson was given a 14- month suspended sentence for six charges of aggravated animal cruelty, a 10-month suspended sentence for five charges of aggravated cruelty, a six-month suspended sentence for five animal cruelty charges, a five-month suspended sentence for two veterinary treatment and three animal cruelty charges and a four-month suspended sentence for nine charges of failing to provide proper and sufficient food.
In sentencing, Robertson was also prohibited from owning any animal for seven years and has been ordered to dispose of his remaining stock within three months.
Robertson has lodged a severity appeal, which will be heard at the Goulburn District Court on November 16.