A YIELIMA man has abandoned his appeal against an $80,000 fine for aggravated animal cruelty, after a County Court Judge last week warned the penalty would likely be increased. The 64-year-old pleaded guilty in the Shepparton Magistrates’ Court to four charges of aggravated cruelty relating to the inhumane killing of 71 eastern grey kangaroos on his property in Northern Victoria in 2021. He was convicted, fined $80,000, and ordered to pay $404.91 in costs. The court heard the man did hold a valid Authority to Control Wildlife issued by the Conservation Regulator, which permitted the lethal control by shooting of kangaroos under strict conditions to ensure animal welfare. However, the man did not abide by these conditions as he engaged two unqualified individuals to carry out the shooting, resulting in prolonged suffering to the animals. The actions were not only a serious breach of the permit’s conditions but were so severe that they led to charges under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986. Judge Tinney noted that the man's actions fell far short of his responsibilities under the permit and highlighted the importance of using professional shooters. His Honour also remarked that if the individuals who carried out the shootings were before the court, they would be facing jail time. The Conservation Regulator seeks to remind people that Authority to Control Wildlife Permit conditions are designed to ensure control is carried out humanely, including requirements that kangaroos be shot in the head to ensure an instantaneous death and that any pouch young be identified and humanely euthanised. “Cruelty to wildlife is unacceptable," Conversation Regulator spokesperson Greg Chant said. "This sentence serves as a warning to anyone committing these awful crimes that they will face significant penalties.” The Conservation Regulator urges anyone with information about wildlife cruelty to report it to Crime Stoppers Victoria on 1800 333 000. Reports can be made anonymously. All wildlife in Victoria is protected under the Wildlife Act 1975. It is illegal to hunt, take, destroy, injure or interfere with wildlife without authorisation.
