The owners of 3 Hawkesdale farming properties have been found guilty and fined a combined $13,500, as well as being disqualified from owning any farm animals for 3 years in the Warrnambool Magistrates Court this week.
Christopher and Robyn Nelson were charged after an animal welfare complaint was lodged and Agriculture Victoria inspectors attended their 3 properties several times since early 2024. Mr Nelson was fined $8,500 with conviction, due to prior offences relating to similar incidents of cruelty. Mrs Nelson was fined $5,000 without conviction.
Agriculture Victoria Program Manager Daniel Bode, said during a March 2024 visit officers saw approximately 200 black angus cattle who were underweight and mooing loudly and repetitively.
'Repeated mooing typically means the animal isn't content, and can indicate hunger and unfortunately, we found many with a low body score of just 1,' he said.
'Some had a Score of 0 and were lactating, which means they have even greater nutritional needs to help them feed their calves.'
Mr Bode said officers returned in late May and interviewed both owners, who explained they jointly owned the livestock and their daily management.
'Mr Nelson was asked whether he sought advice around feeding, to which he said no, while Mrs Nelson was asked about the condition of one injured cow and said some of the animals in poor condition pointed out by officers had 'got a lot worse recently'.
Further visits over 2025 also noticed sheep in poor condition without access to proper or sufficient food, many with a high worm load. Some of the animals, while alive, were unable to move and had been attacked by others.
The Magistrate commented on the 'distressing' circumstances saying, 'it's about attention to the vulnerability of animals that can't care for themselves' and that 'you let yourselves down and you let those animals down.'
Mr Bode said the result sends a very clear message to livestock producers that animal cruelty will not be tolerated by the Victorian Government or our community.
'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.'
