Cruel death angers farmers

Illegal pig and kangaroo hunting in State forests is costing a Brunswick farmer thousands of dollars as he struggles to contain his herd.

Paul Ieraci has had the fence to his property cut at least three times in the past five years and a month ago it cost him six head of cattle that he is aware of, worth about $10,000.

Mr Ieraci’s property backs on to a State Forest, often used for illegal pig and kangaroo hunting, as well as other recreational activities.

A Department of Parks and Wildlife spokesman said hunting on department-managed land was only allowed for customary Aboriginal activities, or when lawful authority has been granted to hunt feral animals.

Last week Mr Ieraci was called after six of his cattle were found more than 15km from his Beela Road property.

The cattle left his paddock after the fence was cut about a month ago and had wandered as far as forest near the Coalfields Highway, where they were found dead.

Mr Ieraci believes the cattle were poisoned after eating heart-leaf, containing high levels of fluoroacetate, the active ingredient in the pest control toxin 1080.

Mr Ieraci said until a planned muster was completed, he would not know if any more cattle had been lost.

“The wires don’t just cut themselves and there were tyre tracks around it, ” he said.

“We raise our animals from a young age, they are hand fed, looked after and cared for.

“This is a cruel death because they die aimlessly looking for water and food, and then get a belly full of poison.”

Mr Ieraci was unable to take any action against the vandals unless he caught them.

A Department of Parks and Wildlife spokesman said with the exception of disease risk areas, prohibited areas and areas closed for management or safety, the public could access State forest and department-managed land, as long as they stayed on paths and did not harm animals or vegetation.

“Depending upon the circumstances, there may also be a number of potential breaches under the Wildlife Conservation Act 1950, Conservation and Land Management Act 1986 and CALM Regulations in which fines range from $1000 to $4000.”

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