A couple from Kallista, Nicole and Frank Pytellek pleaded guilty to animal cruelty offences under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 (POCTA) at the Wonthaggi Magistrates' Court recently, both receiving a fine of $2000 without conviction.
Nicole and Frank Pytellek plead guilty to 2 charges of neglecting to supervise and prevent access to a boggy area on their property at Toora, resulting in unnecessary pain or suffering caused to a heifer stuck up to its neck in mud.
The accused also pleaded guilty to 2 charges for failing to comply with a Notice to Comply (NTC), and aggravated cruelty in respect of a steer with a large eye cancer.
The Magistrate commented the responsibility fell on them to keep the animals safe, healthy, and well, and the offending is taken seriously because of the vulnerability of the animals.
Agriculture Victoria Compliance Manager Daniel Bode said Nicole and Frank Pytellek were absentee owners and persons in charge of a mob of approximately 32 cattle.
In response to a complaint, Agriculture Victoria officers attended the property in September 2023.
'The AgVic officers observed a steer in extremely low body condition and with an advanced eye cancer measuring 15cm wide and 11cm deep. An NTC that was issued to provide treatment was not acted on.'
Additionally, a heifer was discovered, whose body was completely bogged in a dam. There was nothing to prevent livestock accessing this area.
Both animals were euthanised to prevent further suffering.
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.
