A Heathcote man has been charged with 80 counts of animal cruelty, after allegedly failing to provide proper care to livestock and causing the death of two animals.
Patrick Joseph Connally, 73, has been charged with a range of offences relating to the care of more than 1,000 animals.
Mr Connally was charged in July this year over offences that allegedly occurred in May 2019.
Court documents show that Mr Connally allegedly confined 285 cattle inappropriately at a Baynton farm and failed to provide them with proper and sufficient food.
The Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions also alleges that about 800 sheep were underfed.
During a hearing at Kyneton Magistrates Court on Monday, Mr Connally's lawyer Phillip Sheridan told Magistrate Trieu Huynh the proceedings were delayed as authorities took three years to lay charges following their inspection.
Mr Connally is yet to enter a plea.
Suppression order attempt fails
The Kyneton law firm acting for Mr Connally tried to have a suppression order put in place to prevent media from reporting on the matter.
Mr Sheridan told the court Mr Connally's wife ran a real estate agency in Heathcote, in central Victoria, and media coverage would have a serious negative impact on her business.
But Magistrate Huynh did not issue a suppression order, telling the the court open justice was fundamental to the operation of the legal system.
He said embarrassment to the accused's wife was not a reason under the law to place a suppression order on the hearing.
Charge sheets show the Department of Jobs, Precinct and Regions allege Mr Connally's lack of attention and care resulted in the serious disablement of cows and sheep and that he failed to provide appropriate care to multiple animals that were sick.
The department also alleges Mr Connally committed two acts of aggravated cruelty, resulting in the death of one sheep and one cow.
Mr Connally will return to court on February 27 next year for a fourth mention hearing.
