Grazier Peter Reardon accepts responsibility for sheep loss

But he disputes claims from RSPCA NSW that “several hundred dead sheep” were found at his property.

Peter James Reardon, 39, pleaded guilty to five charges of aggravated cruelty to some of his flock, failure to provide veterinary treatment (for internal parasites), and failure to provide proper and sufficient food when he appeared in Goulburn Local Court on Monday.

He was convicted and given a 12-month suspended jail sentence and a two-year good behaviour bond.

Reardon spoke to the Post following his conviction and said he accepted full responsibility for the losses.

He said the sheep had had barber’s pole worm (Haemonchus contortus) and had been drenched six weeks’ prior to RSPCA NSW’s intervention.

Reardon runs a mixed grazing and farming operation of 4500 sheep and 200 cattle. RSPCA NSW inspectors euthanised 31 sheep at his property in June last year.

An RSPCA NSW statement tendered in court said they attended the Mountain Ash Road property in response to reports of large numbers of dead and dying sheep.

“On arrival [on June14], the inspector saw a number of sheep lying against a fence with crows flocking around them. Entering the paddock, the sheep were found alive, but their eyes had been pecked out by crows. The inspector euthanised them,” the statement said.

On June 15, two RSPCA NSW inspectors and a Local Land Services veterinarian returned to the property and began a more detailed search. At this point, 16 sheep had been euthanised.

On June 16, the inspector received a number of telephone calls reporting more sheep dying on the property. The inspector attended the address again, euthanising a further five ewes (21 in total).

“On June 17, RSPCA NSW made contact with Mr Reardon, who admitted the sheep were his and claimed they were all dying from pregnancy toxaemia and he hadn’t sought any veterinary advice at all because he already knew what was wrong with them,” the statement said.

“Mr Reardon claimed he had put out [protein] lick blocks to the sheep, but couldn’t remember where he’d put them and the inspectors couldn’t locate any. He claimed he saw the sheep most days and things were improving.

“Mr Reardon was cautioned and given instructions from the veterinarian about feeding and drenching. He agreed to feed them straight away, but declined any offer of help.”

On June 18, two RSPCA NSW inspectors returned to the property. Five more sheep were euthanised (26 in total). “Mr Reardon was contacted again and was served with further instructions to feed and drench the sheep and remove all the dead bodies from the waterways, which are part of the larger Sydney catchment area. He agreed to comply,” the RSPCA NSW statement said.

On June 22, two RSPCA NSW inspectors returned to the property to follow up on the earlier instructions, and euthanised five more sheep; at this point, 31 in total.

“Over the following weeks, Mr Reardon worked with the district veterinarian, who advised on feeding,” the RSPCA NSW statement said.

“The sheep were mostly aged and broken mouthed (no longer have teeth and therefore cannot graze normally). These sheep require additional supplementary feed.

“Mr Reardon said he knew they were old, but wanted to get another lamb out of them.

“All the sheep were in inferior paddocks with insufficient feed.”

Magistrate Carolyn Huntsman found Reardon guilty and said his crimes were sufficiently serious to warrant jail.

She gave him a suspended sentence of 12 months and a two-year (section-nine) good behaviour bond.

Ms Huntsman accepted there had been significant improvements in the conditions on the property since Reardon had been working with a veterinarian.

But she found there was a need for monitoring and supervision to ensure no relapse or further offending.

Conditions of Reardon’s bond require him to provide RSPCA NSW with a veterinary report every six months and cooperate with all requests for inspections by RSPCA NSW for two years.

Following his conviction, Reardon told the Post:

“I take full responsibility for the losses that occurred at the time.

“The sheep in question at the time had a ‘barber’s pole’ worm burden and had been drenched six weeks prior to the losses occurring.”

He drew attention to the fact he ran 4500 sheep and 200 cattle on his property.

“Even with the best management available, unfortunately every farm will suffer losses from time to time,” he said.

“I am disappointed in the RSPCA’s need to sensationalise stories for their own publicity.

“If the RSPCA had concerns about the management practice over the entire grazing operation of some 4500 sheep and 200 cattle, they would have come out to inspect all livestock under my management and ownership.

“I repeatedly asked an RSPCA officer to come and view the condition of all livestock involved, to which she appeared to have no interest in.”

Reardon disputed RSPCA NSW’s claims that “several hundred dead sheep” were found at his property.

“The report provided by the RSPCA to the media are not factual, and sensationalised. Stating some 300 sheep were lost is simply not true,” he said. 

“If the magistrate had cause at the time to doubt the welfare of any livestock, she would have issued the prohibition order that the RSPCA were seeking.

“It has taken them 18 months to act in this matter in what has been a very stressful time for myself and my family.”