Poultry owner fined over welfare concerns and no PIC

23 August 2023

A Yannathan man has been found guilty of failing to provide adequate husbandry for hundreds of poultry on his property, as well as failing to have a Property Identification Code (PIC) for the birds.

Wayne Peachey was convicted and fined $10,000 in the Dandenong Magistrates Court recently.

The court also imposed a 10 year conditional order requiring that all animals husbandry requirements are met, including veterinary care and treatment.

Agriculture Victoria Program Manager Animal Health and Welfare Compliance, Daniel Bode said officers visited Mr Peachey’s property multiple times in 2021.

‘Our officers first attended the property in March of 2021 and found approximately 200 poultry either ranging the property or in cages.

‘Unfortunately the condition of many of the birds and their cages was very poor, with stagnant, oily green water, large amounts of litter across the property, including food scraps and plastic containers that could injure or entangle birds.

‘Mr Peachey was given a number of Notices to Comply (NTC) requiring him to provide his birds with water and food as well as provide any sick birds with veterinary or other appropriate care and treatment, which was not adequately complied with, Mr Bode said.

Agriculture Victoria also found that Mr Peachey did not have a Property Identification Code (PIC) for the property where he had been keeping the poultry.

In handing down the sentence Magistrate Burns took into account Mr Peachey’s personal circumstances but said, ‘ this is a serious matter and the husbandry is an absolute obligation by the owner to treat all animals humanely and free from cruelty.’

The Livestock Disease Control Act 1994 requires owners of livestock, including poultry, to apply for the allocation of a code, known as a Property Identification Code (PIC), that identifies the properties where the poultry are kept.

Anyone wishing to make a specific complaint in regard to the welfare of commercial livestock on Victorian farms can contact Agriculture Victoria on 136 186 or aw.complaint@agriculture.vic.gov.au

Media contact: Makayla Rimington

Phone: 0473 914 662