Tail docking case stern reminder of code

19 January 2026

Gippsland dairy farm manager Peter Hoffman has been fined $6,500 with costs of $230.08 after pleading guilty to offending under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 at Sale Magistrates Courtrecently.

The accused was charged with cruelty, doing an act causing unreadable pain or suffering to multiple animals, after the unauthorised tail docking of 192 dairy cows in a herd belonging to a Tinamba dairy farmer.

Agriculture Victoria Compliance Manager Daniel Bode said in Victoria the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 and its regulations don’t allow routine docking.

‘Current legislation doesn’t stipulate tail docking of cattle as a prohibited offence; however, the act of tail docking not done in accordance with the Code of Practice is.

‘The procedure may only be performed when necessary for udder or herd health and on female cattle under 6 months of age, and with the use of anaesthesia,’ Mr Bode said.

A witness who attended the farm noted the cow tails were short, pus-filled and weeping blood at the wound site and reported the tail docking to his employer and the cattle owner.

Agriculture Victoria contacted vets and consultants in the region who stated that they did not advise Hoffman to dock the cattle tails.

Magistrate Poulter said this was a serious example of offending and given the significant number of cows involved, the accused should have sought advice.

In addition to the aggregate fine, her Honour also imposed a disqualification order prohibiting Mr Hoffman from owning or being in charge of any cattle for a period of 12 months.

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.

‘This is a reminder to all livestock producers that animal cruelty will not be tolerated by the Victorian Government or our community,’

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

Phone: 0499 540 475