Man convicted and penalised for illegal hunting and animal cruelty

A man from Yarra Glen in north-eastern Victoria was recently convicted in the Magistrates Court for animal cruelty and illegal hunting offences.

A man from Yarra Glen in north-eastern Victoria was recently convicted in the Magistrates Court for animal cruelty and illegal hunting offences.

The man was ordered to pay a combined total of $4,300 in fines and court costs and his Firearms Licence was suspended.

The Game Management Authority’s (GMA) Acting Director of Compliance and Intelligence Zac Powell said the man was charged after GMA Officers investigated a report of illegal hunting in the Steels Creek area near Kinglake.

“We received information about an incident where a deer had been illegally shot on private property from a vehicle at night,” Mr Powell said.

“The deer was found wounded in a neighbouring property the next day and had to be euthanised by an Authorised Officer.”

“The information provided by the community allowed us to locate, investigate and charge the man who illegally shot the deer and left it injured on private property.”

“Further investigations also revealed the man was illegally in possession of a mounted Hog Deer.”

Mr Powell said “Illegal hunting at night is dangerous and can put your community, property and livestock at risk.”

“Those who break the law face significant fines and penalties, they may be prosecuted, have their equipment confiscated and lose their Game and Firearms Licences. In some cases, offenders may face jail terms.”

Hunters and the public are urged to report illegal hunting to the GMA through its website www.gma.vic.gov.au or the Customer Contact Centre on 136 186. All reports of illegal behaviour that are provided to the GMA are assessed and reviewed.

The GMA works closely with its partner agencies to conduct enforcement and compliance operations across Victoria.

For more information on game hunting in Victoria, visit gma.vic.gov.au

Media contact: Nick Foster T: 03 8392 2237 | M: 0417 293 365