Sentencing in dairy cattle cruelty case welcomed

14 October 2013

Sentencing in dairy cattle cruelty case welcomed

Federated Farmers has welcomed the sentencing of former Mid-Canterbury dairy herd manager Kevin Smith

“If we look at this from the cow’s perspective, there is now an indefinite ban on Mr Smith working with farm animals and that’s a good thing,” says Willy Leferink, Federated Farmers Dairy Chairperson.

“While he has been sentenced to home detention the much bigger win for farming is the ban. It also sends a loud message to hot-heads that the dairy industry is not the place for them.

“Breaking a cow’s tail on purpose is inhumane and defies every principle of stockmanship I know.

“Animals that are in pain and distress are never going to be peak performers. They also become much harder to work with and to handle for obvious reasons.

“What I also took from this case is that the eyes of the entire industry are watching out for animal abuse.

“Federated Farmers lawyers have prepared a guide for farmers trying to reconcile the Employment Relation’s Act 2000 with the Animal Welfare Act 1999. This is available free to members from 0800 FARMING (0800 327 646) and from the members section at www.fedfarm.org,nz.

“Farmers need to ensure the employment agreements they use are fit for purpose because Federated Farmers employment agreements are designed specifically for farming. We also encourage farmers to access DairyNZ resources and events to help them with stockmanship.

“At least farmers and our cows can relax in the knowledge that this rooster will no longer be able to work with livestock,” Mr Leferink concluded.

ENDS

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