Vic: Farmer driven off land by wild dogs wins claim

AAP General News (Australia)
12-17-2001
Vic: Farmer driven off land by wild dogs wins claim

A farmer who claimed he was driven off his land by marauding wild dogs has won damages
from the Victorian government, but has been awarded a fraction of the $1.3 million he
sought.

Supreme Court judge, Justice BILL GILLARD has ruled that 58-year-old RON STOCKWELL
is entitled to just $108,000.

But he's also ruled that the government should pay Mr STOCKWELL's costs, estimated
between $600,000 and $700,000.

Mr STOCKWELL says he he's been determined to pursue his 11 year fight for compensation
after wild dogs killed hundreds of sheep and he witnessed lambs torn from their mother's
bodies.

He claimed that a lack of government help to eliminate wild dogs from neighbouring
conservation land drove him off his High Country property at Thougla, in far north eastern
Victoria.

The Director for Crown Land Management, Dr NORMA MARSHALL says the judgment will have
to be studied before any government comment is made.

AAP RTV sew/clr/ldj/rp p

KEYWORD: STOCKWELL (MELBOURNE)

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