An elderly woman found guilty of killing dozens of wild birds has died before she could be sentenced.
Dorothy Sloan, from Violet Town in Victoria’s northeast, was found guilty of more than 70 animal cruelty offences in June.
The 84-year-old was due to be sentenced on Friday in the Shepparton Magistrates Court after a three-year-long case.
Her charges included poisoning dozens of native birds, mostly wedge-tailed eagles, and illegally keeping protected wildlife remains at her property in 2019.
In June, Magistrate David Faram found Ms Sloan guilty of 47 charges including 35 counts of killing wildlife by poison, seven counts of aggravated cruelty, and five counts of possessing protected wildlife without authorisation.
She also pleaded guilty to a further 26 charges of illegal possession relating to the remains of kangaroo joeys and native birds, including galahs and cockatoos, found inside freezers in her house.
The charges were dismissed as a result of Ms Sloan’s death.
It was revealed during her trial that Ms Sloan wrongly believed the birds were responsible for eating her vegetables and attacking her stock.
Hume Regional Manager Greg Chant said Ms Sloan’s actions should act as a warning for others who may commit animal cruelty.
“This was an unacceptable case of wildlife cruelty, which resulted in the loss of a significant number of iconic native birds,” he said.
In Victoria, it is illegal to disturb, kill, take, control, or hunt wedge-tailed eagles without authorisation.
Source: www.appnews.com.au
