Man convicted and penalised for illegal spotlighting and animal cruelty

Last week, a man from Markwood in north eastern Victoria pleaded guilty and was convicted in Wangaratta Magistrates Court for animal cruelty and illegal spotlighting offences.

Last week, a man from Markwood in north eastern Victoria pleaded guilty and was convicted in Wangaratta Magistrates Court for animal cruelty and illegal spotlighting offences.

The man was ordered to pay a combined total of $5,000, had his Game Licence cancelled, is prohibited from obtaining a new Game Licence for five years, and his two firearms, ammunition and a spotlight were forfeited.

The Game Management Authority’s (GMA) Acting Director of Compliance and Intelligence Zac Powell said the GMA teamed up with Victoria Police as part of a joint agency patrol in response to complaints from the community about illegal spotlighting in the Whitfield area.

“Officers intercepted the man in his vehicle at around 7:30pm on 23 July 2021 in the Rose River area near Whitfield,” Mr Powell said.

“The man was found with unsecured firearms and a spotlight in his vehicle in recognised deer habitat 30 minutes after sunset and his firearms, ammunition, spotlight and vehicle were seized on the spot.”

“Further investigations uncovered evidence the man had also committed animal cruelty offences where he had chased and run-down deer with a vehicle and had also been hunting deer with hounds without a licence endorsed for hound hunting.”

“These acts of animal cruelty and irresponsible behaviour show no respect for Victoria’s game deer species and will be prosecuted. Illegal spotlighting is also dangerous and can put your community, property, livestock and native wildlife 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, or by contacting Victoria Police.

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