Piggery operators banned over injured and emaciated animals

Pigs being raised for slaughter were found injured, lame and emaciated after two Palmerston North men left them to live in a dilapidated, waste-covered pen.

John Leeroy Gardiner and Hudson Tukuafu Muli-Ki-Ha’an Livai's operation was investigated by the Ministry of Primary Industries after a complaint about a sow with broken legs, unable to stand, with no access to water.

More than 20 of the 100 pigs involved in the case were found to be injured, lame or emaciated. Seven were euthanised to "end their suffering" – including the sow that sparked the investigation.

Herb Verstegen, district manager of animal welfare, said other pigs were injured while fighting each other for food and water.

"There had been an attempt to treat an injured pig, rather than seek veterinary care, which only caused the animal more pain and distress.”

Livai owned five of the pigs and was responsible for feeding all the animals, while Gardiner owned the rest.

The ministry said it directed the men to improve the animals' welfare, but they failed to do so.

Meanwhile, the piggery was in a "state of disrepair", with adults freely mixing in a single waste-covered pen without proper access to water troughs.

Animals were fed supermarket waste that was "insufficient" for their needs, and the floor was covered in pig waste and boggy mud. The animals were made to sleep in shelters with no bedding.

A vet said the premises had not been properly maintained.

Livai was charged with 12 offences under the Animal Welfare Act, while Gardiner was charged with five. Both men were convicted.

At the Palmerston North District Court yesterday, Livai was disqualified from being in charge of or owning pigs for 10 years and ordered to do 260 hours of community work.

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Gardiner was disqualified indefinitely from being in charge of or owning pigs and ordered to do 300 hours of community work.

“Both men failed to care for these animals. As we’ve seen before the court today, there are consequences for ignoring your responsibilities under the Animal Welfare Act," Verstegen said.