A Reefton man has pleaded guilty to pulling a cow to the ground by its tail and punching and kicking it.
Cameron George Intemann Hurst, 21, of Reefton, had a sentence indication hearing in Westport District Court last week.
Judge Noel Walsh said Hurst worked on a Cape Foulwind dairy farm and he and his manager took turns shooting a cow in the leg in a deliberate act of cruelty before it was euthanised.
They also pulled a cow to the ground by its tail and punched and kicked it.
Judge Walsh said Hurst apparently stated he liked that time of year because he "got to beat the cows".
