Appeal over $80k kangaroo cruelty fine dropped

Jun 12, 2025

A man has abandoned an appeal against his animal cruelty sentence.

A man has abandoned his appeal against an $80,000 fine for animal cruelty.

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A 64-year-old man from Yielima, near Picola, pleaded guilty in Shepparton Magistrates’ Court in mid-2024 to four charges of aggravated cruelty, under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.

The charges relate to the inhumane killing of 71 eastern grey kangaroos on his property in 2021.

He was fined $80,000 and ordered to pay $404.91 in costs.

The Conservation Regulator said the man held a valid ‘Authority to control wildlife’, which permitted lethal control by shooting kangaroos under strict conditions, ensuring animal welfare.

However, he didn’t abide by conditions and instead got two unqualified people to carry out the shooting, resulting in prolonged suffering to the animals.

Conservation Regulator spokesperson Greg Chant said the case was a reminder that anyone granted a permit to control wildlife was responsible for ensuring the permit conditions were followed.

“The authorisation holder is culpable if wildlife control is not carried out lawfully, regardless of whether they are the person who conducts the control,” he said.

The Conservation Regulator is reminding 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 ensuring an instantaneous death, and that any joeys be identified and humanely euthanised.

The Conservation Regulator urges anyone with information about wildlife cruelty to report it to Crime Stoppers Victoria on 1800 333 000, where reports can be made anonymously.