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A man who failed to provide care to a cow which was forced to be put down has been disqualified from owning animals for 12 months and ordered to enter a good behaviour bond. Gregory Ross Maloney, 67, was sentenced at Cowra Local Court on Wednesday, October 18 after pleading guilty to committing an act of aggravated cruelty on an animal and failing to provide vet treatment. The steer was put down by police on May 4 after a vet assessment found it to be cruel to keep the animal alive. Facts tendered at court reveal the steer was suffering from “serious issues” with his hooves. “He had difficulty getting to this particular paddock where this animal was during the floods. I’m instructed he had plans with a friend to put the animal down in June,” solicitor Geoff Casey said at court. “This came to the attention of police before that time and thankfully the animal was put down.” Police gained access to Maloney’s farm on Kangarooby Road on May 3 and located the steer perched on his front knees and standing on his hind legs. Police noted the steer was “clearly struggling to stand, extremely unsteady on his hooves, distressed and in pain”. Specialist police returned on May 4 along with the RSPCA Inspector and a local vet. The police statement says the steer’s “elongated hooves are so severe the animal could not be transported”. “The defendant was aware of the condition of the animal,” Mr Casey said. “He is particularly embarrassed about it because he raised it as a pet. He accepts the facts that he let the animal down. He’s particularly upset about what’s occurred.” A decision was made to euthanise the animal. Maloney was arrested and charged on June 4. “The facts don’t make for pleasant reading which I’m sure you understand,” Magistrate Michael O’Brien said. “Obtaining animals carries with it the responsibility to ensure they’re properly maintained and cared for.” Maloney was ordered to dispose of all stock as soon as reasonably possible and he was disqualified from owning, acquiring or having animals in his custody for 12 months.

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Order made so farmer can’t own animals