The Summary Court has sentenced a man to 80 hours of community service for animal cruelty in relation to 15 roosters that were mutilated for suspected cockfighting.
Rohan Omar Webster accepted that the roosters in his possession did have their wattles and crowns removed and their spurs filed down, but claimed he did this because the chickens were infected with an undisclosed disease.
Webster entered a guilty plea to a single charge of cruelty to animals on 6 Dec., in relation to all the animals, and was sentenced on 30 Jan.
“A conviction will be recorded, because these courts have a duty to send a message of deterrence to other like-minded individuals,” said Magistrate Philippa McFarlane.
She added, “You will have to serve 80 hours of community service within one year and no other financial penalties will be imposed.”
All 15 roosters were euthanised.
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