A farmer says he was powerless to stop a man who cut the teats off of around 20 of his milking cows. The Ministry for Primary Industries is investigating after being told about the incident this week, despite it happening nearly two years ago.
Farm owner David Burgess told Newstalk ZB the man was working for him as a contractor on his Te Aroha farm when he committed the act. His calls for action at the time fell on deaf ears, he said.
But now somebody has complained to MPI after hearing about his plight, with hopes the worker will be held accountable. Mr Burgess said he was glad the matter was finally being investigated.
"The cows were mine and he didn't look after them, some were pedigree cows too - I paid big money for them." The only way he could dismiss the man was to sign a form saying he wouldn't prosecute, Mr Burgess said.
A University of Waikato lecturer described the incident as a horrific animal abuse incident. Lynley Tulloch said she was concerned about where the man could be working now, having not been held to account.
