A Southland cattle farmer has been fined $7500 after four bulls he failed to sufficiently treat were left in such pain they had to be euthanised to end their suffering.
David Michael Church, 62, was sentenced in the Invercargill District Court yesterday on five charges under the Animal Welfare Act, following a successful prosecution by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI).
MPI animal welfare inspectors and two veterinarians found the animals when they inspected Church's property.
Among them was a Jersey bull with a badly swollen face, cheeks and jaw that was clearly in pain.
MPI's district manager animal welfare and NAIT compliance south, Caleb Trent, said the young bull's condition was unacceptable.
"Mr Church should have taken much earlier action to prevent it reaching this stage. The animal was examined by a veterinarian and had to be euthanised to end its suffering," Trent said.
Two more Jersey bulls also had to be put down - one unable to bear weight because of swelling in a hind leg caused by a thigh fracture, and another that was unsteady on its feet, unable to stand or walk without twisting or swaying, and in distress.
A Hereford bull that was lame in both hind legs and had a dislocated hip was also euthanised. A second Hereford, found with a woody tongue infection, a burst abscess and a swollen lower jaw, recovered after receiving veterinary treatment.
Trent said Church had the option of getting the animals assessed earlier but did not take it.
"Mr Church should have had these young animals assessed by his own veterinarian before MPI intervened, but he chose not to," he said.
"Mr Church was responsible for the care of these animals and failed to ensure they received sufficient treatment to ease pain and distress. The message from this case is there are consequences for this."
On top of the fine, the court ordered Church to pay vet costs of $4,267.50, plus $750 for solicitor fees and court costs.
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