An Auckland man has been fined $9800 and had restrictions placed on how many cows and horses he can own after pleading guilty to three charges under the Animal Welfare Act.
Kevin Maurice Dell, aged 70, pleaded guilty to the charges after being prosecuted by the Ministry for Primary Industries.
He has been disqualified from being the owner or person in charge of more than two horses and 10 cows for two years.
After a complaint to MPI, an animal welfare inspector visited Dell’s two lifestyle properties. The inspector found a dehydrated young heifer recumbent, laying on its side against a fence, unable to get up. It also had no access to water.
The inspector also found a crossbreed bull calf suffering from an infection after being castrated. Both animals had to be euthanised to end their suffering, MPI said.
After another report from the Racing Integrity Board, an MPI animal welfare inspector found one of Dell’s horses, a nine-year-old racing thoroughbred which had both legs bandaged.
“There was a significant necrotic wound, and the animal was in extremely poor body condition. The mare had to be euthanised to end its suffering.”
MPI Auckland district manager of animal welfare and national animal identification and tracing compliance Cody Taylor said Dell was responsible for the care and wellbeing of these animals.
“He failed to provide for their physical needs or timely veterinary care to manage disease and illness.”
Taylor said the racing thoroughbred was “more seriously injured” and was suffering from “a lack of veterinarian care” which Dell “failed to provide”.
“When we find evidence of serious neglect, we take action.”
MPI encouraged any member of the public who is aware of animal ill-treatment or cruelty to report it to the animal welfare complaints freephone on 0800 008 333.
