A Launceston court has heard cows owned by a former north-west dairy farmer resembled living skeletons.
Sentencing submissions are underway for Roderic Neil Mitchell, who was found guilty last month of nearly 200 animal cruelty charges.
Animal welfare officers found more than 180 starving and neglected cows on his Redpa property in 2007.
Prosecutor Harru Virs told the court that some of the animals were emaciated and unable to move.
Carcasses were left on the ground for up to seven weeks.
Mitchell’s lawyer Greg Barns told the sentencing hearing it was a case of gross negligence, caused by his youth and inexperience.
The long-running matter has been adjourned for sentence until next month.
Source: ABC
