Mr Robertson was given a 14-month suspended sentence for six charges of aggravated animal cruelty, a 10-month suspended sentence for five charges of aggravated cruelty, a six-month suspended sentence for five animal cruelty charges, a five-month suspended sentence for two veterinary treatment and three animal cruelty charges and a four-month suspended sentence for nine charges of failing to provide proper and sufficient food.
In a statement released by the RSPCA, it says aggravated cruelty charges related to adult bulls being castrated without pain relief - a number of animals died from blood loss or severe infection over coming days and weeks.
Other animals were left with untreated cancer of the eye. Two cows were observed having difficulties calving — one was found recumbent by a dam, she was too weak to stand and have a dead calf [hanging out halfway from the birth canal], according to the RSPCA.
Piles of dead cattle were also seen in paddocks in different states of decomposition — some carcasses years old. Dozens of dead cattle were also found in and around dams on the property resulting in contaminated water.
RSPCA says Mr Robertson was found to have ample supplementary feed on the property.
"It was evident that this feed had been stored on the property for some time. Machinery and equipment used to distribute food to livestock was also seen on the property," the statement said.
During the course of over 15 inspections between mid-February and early April 2015, the RSPCA says Mr Robertson was found to repeatedly ignore written instructions from RSPCA NSW Inspectors.
In sentencing, Mr Robertson was also prohibited from owning any animal for seven years and has been ordered to dispose of his remaining stock within three months. Mr Robertson has since appealed the severity of sentence.
(The Land - Sept 2, 2015)
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