A former Waikato sharemilker has been placed on home detention for seven months after being found responsible for tail injuries to 84 cows, leading to some being amputated.
Mark Donald Richardson, 48, was sentenced in Hamilton District Court today on two charges under the Animal Welfare Act which he earlier pleaded guilty to, after a successful prosecution by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI).
Richardson has also been banned from being in sole charge of animals for two years.
MPI's Richard Knight said it takes animal welfare "very seriously".
"Most people in charge of animals treat their animals well. One of the disturbing aspects in this case was that four of these animals had to have their tails amputated because their injuries were so severe."
A 50:50 sharemilker, Richardson was in sole charge of a herd of about 165 cows at Te Awamutu between November 2015 and February 1 2020, according to MPI.
He sold the herd and because the new owner noticed lumps in many of the cow's tails, a veterinarian examined all the cows and found evidence of tail breaks.
"Mr Richardson admitted that he may have broken some tails accidentally, but 84 cows had injuries and would have suffered prolonged and significant pain, along with distress and the loss or damage to a body part. When we find evidence of animal neglect or deliberate abuse, we take action," Knight said.
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