More than 20 cattle have been euthanised in what the RSPCA claims is one of the worst cases of cattle neglect and suffering ever encountered by the animal welfare agency.
The cows were found on a rural WA property either dead or starving, with their bones clearly visible through their skin.
Tenterden cattle farmer Thomas Ward Irving today pleaded guilty to two animal cruelty charges under the Animal Welfare act 2002 in the Mount Barker Magistrates Court.
According to the RSPCA 62-year-old Irving did not provide proper or sufficient food for the animals under his care.
On May 19 an RSPCA inspector was called to Irving's Tenterden property after a complaint was received of very thin cattle living on the property.
The inspector found cow carcases and starving cows with bones clearly visible through the skin.
Irving was in charge of about 1280 acres of land upon which lived 660 head of cattle.
RSPCA inspectors involved in the case said it was one of the worst cases of cattle neglect and suffering they had ever seen. The agency was awarded $45,000 in costs to feed and care for the malnourished stock as well as veterinary costs.
Inspectors were forced to euthanise more than 20 of the animals stating they were in "very poor condition" and "it was the only humane thing to do".
The remainder of the herd were found to be in a "poor to very poor" body condition according to an inspecting veterinarian.
