29 June 2007

MAF welcomes conviction for ill-treatment of calves

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) welcomed a conviction handed down in the Hamilton District Court today to a local farmer for the ill-treatment of calves in his care.

Ronald Burd pleaded guilty to six charges. He was convicted and fined a total of $3000. In addition, he was ordered to pay MAF solicitor costs of $900, court costs of $130 and $893 in reparations for veterinary expenses. He was also disqualified from owning or exercising authority over bovines under the age of six months for the next year.

The charges related to the discovery of 12 calves in a stock truck near the defendant’s property in December 2005.

A MAF Animal Welfare investigator found the calves to be wet and coated with excrement. They were estimated to be less than four days old.

One was discovered to be dead with a weak live calf lying across its body. The others were in poor condition. Some were too weak to stand.

Following veterinary advice, eight of these calves were euthanised.

Mr Bird stated that he had transported the calves from a farm in the Taupo area to Hamilton on the previous evening and had been caught in torrential rain during the journey. Upon reaching his destination that evening he left the calves overnight in the truck, as he was tired and hungry.

“There is a higher onus of responsibility on those that make their living from animals. This offence was exacerbated by the fact that the defendant believed that some of the animals were unwell prior to transport,” said MAF investigations Manager Greg Reid.

“This case sends a clear message that ill treatment of live stock is unacceptable,” Mr Reid added.

“The defendant had considerable experience in the farming, trading and transporting of livestock, so there could be no suggestion of ignorance.

“Having little or no regard for the animals’ wellbeing, particularly when the conditions were extreme, showed an unacceptable level of care,” said Mr Reid.

MAF had previously notified Mr Burd of the transportation standards required to meet obligations under the Animal Welfare Act and the Code of Recommendations and Minimum Standards for the Welfare of Animals Transported in New Zealand.

ENDS

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