A Te Kūiti sheep farmer has been fined almost $30,000 after 23 neglected sheep had to be euthanised to end their suffering, following a successful prosecution by the Ministry for Primary Industries.
William George Toms, 70, was sentenced in the Te Kuiti District Court yesterday on five charges under the Animal Welfare Act, having pleaded guilty to all of them. He was fined $29,250.
The court also imposed conditions requiring the physical health and behavioural needs of all sheep on Toms' farm to be met. If he fails to comply, he will be disqualified from owning, exercising authority over or being in charge of animals for three years.
Ministry district manager for animal welfare and compliance Bianca Upton said inspectors visited the farm after a complaint.
"They had to euthanise 23 sheep to prevent their further suffering. They had conditions including flystrike, parasitic burden, low body condition and foot rot. Two of the sheep were rams that were dehydrated and recumbent," Upton said.
"We also found a mob of about 120 sheep suffering from malnourishment."
The ministry had previously warned Toms about his responsibilities and provided him with educational material, including the code of welfare for sheep and beef cattle.
"Mr Toms neglected his duty of care to his animals by failing to provide sufficient quality feed, and preventative parasite and flystrike treatments, resulting in significant risks to the welfare of his sheep," Upton said.
"Most farmers do the right thing for their animals. But, when we find evidence of animal cruelty, we take action."
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