Wednesday, 04 August 2021 11:55

Fine for docking tails

Written by Staff Reporter

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A Waitomo farmer has been fined for docking the tails of cows.

A Waitomo farmer has been fined $21,739, including veterinarian expenses and costs, for docking the tails of cows.

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.

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