Waihi Dairy Farmer Fined $39,000 for Dairy Effluent Breaches
A Waihi dairy farmer, Keith Torrens, has been convicted and fined $39,000 for the unlawful discharge of dairy effluent following a prosecution taken by Waikato Regional Council.
Peter Anthony William Muller, 65, was sentenced in the Te Kuiti District Court on one charge under the Animal Welfare Act, following a prosecution taken by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI).
MPI national manager animal welfare & NAIT compliance, Gray Harrison, says Muller deliberately ill-treated the cows by systematically docking their tails, causing unnecessary and unreasonable pain.
“In NZ, docking is prohibited as the tail is a very important and sensitive part of the cow’s body. It’s used to control flies, but it is also used in social signalling and interactions.”
The prosecution relates to an inspection of Muller’s Waitomo dairy farm on 15 December 2020. Animal welfare inspectors were assisted by a veterinarian.
Of 592 cows inspected they found 534 that had parts of their tails (from above the last 2 to 3 vertebrae) removed by Muller.
