A man has been sentenced to community service for filming his dogs mauling and killing animals, in one case in front of his young daughter.
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The 40-year-old man from northeast Victoria pleaded guilty to seven charges, including three of aggravated cruelty, for allowing or encouraging his hunting dogs to attack or kill a wombat, a sambar deer, two kangaroos, and two cats.
One charge related to the illegal possession of eastern grey kangaroo remains.
The charges followed an investigation by the Conservation Regulator, which found video and photo evidence of the attacks at the man's property near Myrtleford after a tip-off from the RSPCA.
Video showed one of the kangaroo attacks happened in front of the man's daughter, with the man heard saying they were "smashing roos" together.
Presiding magistrate Ian Watkins sentenced the man to a 12-month community correction order and 160 hours of community work.
He could land in prison if he reoffends, leaves Victoria without permission or fails to show up to court-appointed rehabilitation programs.
Magistrate Watkins called the man's acts "confronting and disturbing", and said a civilised society did not allow or tolerate animal cruelty.
The Conservation Regulator said it takes all allegations of wildlife crime extremely seriously and would continue to work with other authorities to investigate and prosecute animal cruelty.
"In Victoria, the inhumane treatment of animals is illegal, and the court's decision today is a reminder to the community that the Conservation Regulator does not tolerate animal cruelty and we will take action against offenders," Hume regional manager regulatory operations Greg Chant said in a statement.
Australian Associated Press
