Dairy tail docking case draws warning on animal welfare

Agriculture Victoria has issued a strong warning to livestock producers following a Gippsland court case involving the unauthorised tail docking of 192 dairy cows on a property near Tinamba in south-east Victoria.

The dairy farm manager was found guilty of cruelty offences after the procedure was carried out without anaesthesia and outside the circumstances permitted under the state’s Code of Practice, causing unreasonable pain and suffering to the animals.

The offending came to light after a witness observed cows with abnormally short tails showing signs of infection, bleeding and discharge, prompting a report to the cattle owner and authorities.

The magistrate described the case as a serious example of animal welfare offending, citing both the number of animals involved and the failure to seek professional veterinary or industry advice.

In addition to a financial penalty, the court imposed a 12-month order prohibiting the offender from owning or being in charge of cattle, with Agriculture Victoria warning that such breaches risk undermining public confidence in the livestock sector.