KEY POINTS:
An Otago farmer has been banned from owning animals for the next 25 years after several breaches of the Animal Welfare Act.
The disqualification against Barry John Walker, 67, comes into effect on October 12, and all remaining sheep must be disposed of by then, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) investigations manager Greg Reid said.
Mr Reid said animal welfare investigators found a flock of about 1000 sheep, many heavily dagged and infested with lice, in 2005.
Of the sheep, 397 had between 12 to 24 months growth of wool, preventing them from moving freely and causing distress.
Walker was ordered in Dunedin District Court to shear his sheep, treat them for lice, and euthanase any sheep unable to walk, but subsequent visits by a MAF investigator found no progress made.
Mr Reid said further orders issued were also ignored, and MAF had "no choice" but to seize the sheep for shearing and drenching.
MAF disputed the defendant's claims that he had about 620 sheep on his farm, and that only 40 had double fleeces.
Mr Reid said Walker showed "wilful disobedience" towards the health and welfare of his animals, and reasonable directions as to the needs of his animals.
"We had no choice but to step in and remove the animals."
Walker had been in a similar position with his animals in 1998, 2000 and 2002, Mr Reid said.
"The Animal Welfare Act places a duty of care on everyone who owns or is in charge of an animal to prevent pain, suffering and distress.
"This farmer unfortunately has not learned or accepted his obligations under the act and has failed to attend to the health and welfare needs of his animals. We welcome his disqualification which effectively means he must exit the industry," Mr Reid said.
Walker was also ordered to pay reparation and costs.
- NZPA
