Cruelty trial told, 'I like goats'
August 28th, 2008
A TRUCKIE facing a possible jail sentence for cruelty to goats told a court he would never intentionally harm the animals, as they were his favourite livestock.
Keith Simpson and his company Keith Simpson Transport have pleaded not guilty to 96 charges of depriving more than 1400 goats of food and water during a 65-hour trip to the Territory from New South Wales.
He told Darwin Magistrates Court yesterday that the goats were stressed, thirsty and hungry on the trip. But he said it was not his "ambition to harm goats".
"I do it for a living because I like goats," Mr Simpson said.
"I don't do it because I want to starve them ... I could make my life a hell of a lot easier by carting cattle."
Twelve goats were dead on the truck when it arrived in Darwin on July 27 last year, and a further 318 died or were euthanased in the period afterwards.
The court heard live export regulation time limits for transporting goats without food or water was 38 hours. Mr Simpson said he believed 48 hours was an "OK".
The charges against Mr Simpson each carry a maximum penalty of $11,000, and Mr Simpson is facing a maximum 12-month jail sentence.
The case was adjourned until September 2.
http://www.ntnews.com.au/article/2008/08/28/5509_ntnews.html
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