A West Gippsland farmer was fined $8000 after pleading guilty to aggravated animal cruelty charges.

Barry Hillbrick recently pleaded guilty in Latrobe Valley Magistrates' Court to aggravated cruelty and a failure to fulfil a notice to comply. He was fined $8000 with conviction.
In April 2023 Agriculture Victoria officers attended the property at Coalville, to follow up an animal welfare report.
During the visit, a notice to comply was issued to Mr Hillbrick to provide veterinary or other treatment for a cow with a significant discharge and lesion on the right eye socket.
Agriculture Victoria officers attended the following week to assess compliance with the notice. The cow was in an unchanged condition and no treatment or other attention had been offered to the cow.
The cow was humanely euthanised on-farm by Agriculture Victoria officers due to the large cancerous growth which had engulfed the eye, causing significant pain and suffering.
Agriculture Victoria acting compliance manager Penny Lucas said the weight of the fine with conviction sent a very clear message to livestock producers that animal cruelty will not be tolerated by the Victorian government or 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," she said.
Anyone wishing to make a complaint regarding livestock welfare can contact Agriculture Victoria on 136 186.