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A North Canterbury farmer who pegged a dead stag's head into an upright position to make it look as though it was still alive has been fined $9000.
Lyn Brian Wakelyn Knight, 59, was sentenced in Christchurch District Court for failing to ensure his animals' health and failing to comply with the requirements of an animal health inspector last winter.
Twenty-seven deer starved to death or were destroyed because of his actions, the court was told.
In one instance, Knight stopped an inspector from destroying a distressed stag, saying he would nurse it back to health.
Four days later, it was found in the same position, dead, but Knight had pegged the stag's head into an upright position to make it look as though it was still alive but lying down.
He said he pegged the animal "to stop the moaning" of neighbours and passers-by.
RSPCA shelter manager Geoff Sutton said the case was at "the upper end of neglect".
"It was a serious case of neglect brought about by insufficient feed. He had no yarding ability, no workable stock race because of this there was no possibility of removing the animals."
- NZPA
