Pig farmer fined over animal cruelty

11 August 2009

A north-east Tasmanian pig farmer who pleaded guilty to four charges of animal cruelty has been fined more than $2,000 in the Scottsdale Magistrates Court.

Gary William Oliver and his company Longerenong Livestock were charged by police in March after an animal welfare activist trespassed onto his Winnaleah piggery.

The company has been fined $10,000.

Police prosecutor Kim Hibble told the court police found three animals that were seriously disabled and three others that were emaciated.

Mr Oliver's defence lawyer Grant Tucker argued that the number of the animals not properly looked after was minuscule.

But the magistrate questioned the viability of intensive farming practices.

While he accepted only a small number were mistreated, the condition of the pigs involved in the case was appalling.

He said if that was the result of intensive farming, it did not seem a viable option.

Oliver's lawyer told the court the case has had a significant impact on his career and he was now leaving the industry.

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