Northland Farmer Fined $15,000 forโค Neglectingโค Cattle at Kauri Farms
KAIPARA, NEW ZEALAND -โค A โNorthland โขfarmer has been fined $15,000 after admitting โฃto neglecting cattle at โhis Kauri farms property โขnear Kaipara. The case, heard in court recently, highlighted issues withโ insufficient feed and inadequate animal care,โข leading โto โseveral animals becoming underweight and unwell.
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) โinvestigated theโ farm and found a lack ofโ quality pasture,with some calves struggling to eat supplementary โฃfeed consisting of mouldy hay and whole kลซmara.โฃ While theโข majority of the animals recovered after recommendations were implemented, the โขfarmer, whose name was initially suppressed but later revealedโค as Mr. Flett, was ultimately convicted โand โขpenalized.
according to a report readโ in court by veterinarian โฃDr.โ Muston, “Mr Flettโฃ largely followed myโฃ recommendations, and the vast majority of animals returned toโ good health.”โ The report โฃalso stated, โ”Some animals did decline in health, but those that became โคsick were โtreated or euthanised. Mr Flett did wellโ to remedy the situation. He’s learned from his mistakes.”
Judge Greg Davis denied Flett’s application for name suppression,stating thatโฃ a conviction alone โdid not warrant it and that a friend’s concern about business impact didn’t meet the threshold for an “exceptional circumstance.”
as the incident,Flett hasโ reduced his herd size to 50 cattle.In additionโค to the $15,000 fine, he was โordered โto pay $4312 in legal costs to MPI.
MPIโค regional manager Brendon Mikkelsenโฃ emphasized the farmer’s responsibility in a statement following the sentencing. โ”These welfare problemsโข were avoidable โคif Mr Flett had been providing sufficientโข feed โคand meeting the physical healthโฃ and behavioural โneeds of hisโ animals,” Mikkelsen said.”When we find evidence of animal neglect, we take action.”
