A FORMER Moyne shire council officer who admitted taking two black-faced sheep to feed greyhounds has been not convicted and fined $600. Robert Jehu, 61, who is now employed by the Coonabarabran council pleaded guilty to one charge of theft in the Warrnambool Magistrates Court. Two other theft charges relating to 13 sheep and a lamb were withdrawn by police. The court heard Jehu told police that it was cheaper for him to dispose of the sheep than pay a knackery $50 a head to dispose of them. Magistrate Cynthia Toose noted the allegation dated back to February 2012, that the offending was highly unusual but she was sure that if Jehu had his time again he would act in a different way. She said the former Moyne officer had not dealt with the sheep in a proper way but he had no prior court appearances. Police said that in 2012 Jehu was employed as a senior officer with Moyne shire with oversight of rangers, among other staff.  He resigned in April 2013 after the council engaged a private investigation company to look into the alleged theft of cattle and sheep. Two black-faced sheep were impounded and Jehu instructed a ranger to take the sheep to his home. The investigation found Jehu had greyhounds and it was well known that he took impounded livestock to feed his dogs. He admitted to another council staff member he took the sheep and said: "All this over a few sheep.” Jehu argued that it was far cheaper for the council if he disposed of unclaimed impounded stock than to go through the set-down process which involved fees and charges that the council would be charged. Defence counsel Tony Robinson said his client had a glowing reference from his current employer and Jehu had acted in an imprudent manner. "He does not feel he did anything wrong. The question is whether he should have done it," he said.  Mr Robinson said other council staff knew he disposed of stock and Jehu resigned after being "very upset" about the allegations.  He added that it was a much more cost effective way of dealing with the unclaimed impounded stock but it had been imprudent to make the decision he did.