Man jailed for slaying cattle beast

File photo / NZH

A man has been jailed for six months for cutting the throat of a cattle beast, slashing its head with a knife and stabbing its eyeball as it stood in a paddock.

Korey Waho, 23, was convicted in the Gisborne District Court of killing an animal with intent to steal it, and wilfully mistreating an animal on May 16, last year at Muriwai, south of Gisborne.

Judge Tony Adeane said there was always concern over stealing stock in a rural area and that the public was outraged by Waho's offences - as it should be.

Animal cruelty ranged from neglect to aggravated acts of cruelty and Waho's offending was at the upper end of the scale.

He claimed he was remorseful but tried get an incriminating statement removed from evidence, the judge said.

Waho was drinking and smoking cannabis with four other people when they decided to go to a neighbouring property and kill a cattle beast.

Waho selected an 18-month-old Angus, slashed its head with a knife, stabbed it in the eye and slit its throat.

The hind legs were cut off the dead animal and later thrown away.

Judge Adeane said the charges related to one beast only, but Waho had also slashed another beast.

"It was put out of its misery the next day," he said.

The carcass had been disposed of and charges relating to it were dismissed because of a lack of evidence.

But the facts were still relevant as part of the circumstances to consider in sentencing, Judge Adeane said.

Defence counsel Mark Webster said Waho was of good character but had been going through a troublesome period since his grandfather died.

He had been over-indulging in alcohol at the time of the offences.

Other people were involved in the decision to slaughter a beast but Waho had taken full responsibility.

Slitting the animal's throat was the most humane way to kill the beast, Mr Webster said.

Waho was genuinely remorseful and had broken down in tears when meeting the owner of the beast - who did not want him jailed.

Waho had worked voluntarily on the farm, would continue to do so, and had paid reparation of $480 for the beast.

Mr Webster suggested the court could "step back" from imprisonment and impose community work, community detention or home detention.

Judge Adeane rejected that and jailed him.

Waho was also convicted and discharged on a count of possessing cannabis.

- NZPA