Father, son sentenced over animal cruelty

Two West Coast men have been sentenced after the worst case of animal cruelty local welfare officers have ever seen.

Charges were laid after 152 starving cows had to be euthanised in 2012 -- the most ever in New Zealand and a "rare event" according to the Ministry of Primary Industries.

Hundreds of others were sent to the meat works or other farms to recover.

Robert Ussher pleaded guilty to six charges of animal cruelty and one charge of failure to supply sufficient food and water.

His son Jeremy Ussher admitted one charge relating to mistreatment and one of failure to supply.

The defence told the court Robert Ussher had been farming for over 40 years, was facing bankruptcy and didn't know how to cope -- now he had lost everything.

He was sentenced in Christchurch District Court today to three months home detention and community work, while his son was fined $5000.

Both were disqualified from owning or working with stock unsupervised for three years.

MPI Canterbury and Westland District Compliance Manager Peter Hyde said it was very disappointing that so many animals had to be euthanised as a result of starvation.

His advice to farmers was to seek help at an early stage if they had a lack of feed.

"There are organisations such as Dairy NZ, Federated Farmers and the Rural Support Trust who can provide assistance and support," Mr Hyde said.

"Doing nothing is not an option as the situation can quickly deteriorate and result in animals suffering pain and distress, or even death through starvation. "

 

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