$10,000 fine for Numurkah sheep farm manager’s cruelty

26 February 2026

A Numurkah sheep farm manager pleaded guilty in the Shepparton Magistrates’ Court recently to multiple counts of animal cruelty. Stephen Gapes was fined $10,000.00 as part of an aggregate sentence with conviction.

In September 2024 in response to a welfare complaint, officers attended the property and observed 350 sheep contained in a heavily grazed paddock with no supplementary feed supplied to compensate.

Multiple ewes and lambs were suffering from neglect, starvation and had either died or were suffering from injuries incurred by predators.

Many sheep were found dead or lying on the ground too weak to move. Post-mortems on some of the dead sheep revealed they had died from starvation, made worse by a severe worm burden.

The magistrate, His Honor Mr Sabijak considered the plea of guilty and the absence of a criminal history, but also noted that these animals had a painful death, which could have been prevented.

The magistrate also commented that general deterrence is very significant in the matters and that it is appropriate that a conviction is imposed.

Agriculture Victoria Compliance Manager Daniel Bode said the weight of the fine with conviction sends a very clear message to livestock producers that animal cruelty will not be tolerated by the Victorian Government or our community.

‘Victorians have a reasonable expectation that livestock will be cared for by those in charge of them,’ Mr Bode said

‘Apart from the obvious pain and suffering of the animals, animal welfare breaches can jeopardise Victoria’s reputation as a humane and responsible producer of food, which can, in turn, affect all producers.’

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

Media contact: anna.ferguson@deeca.vic.gov.au

Phone: 0499 540 475