Lifestyle block owner fined $4,200

Kathryn Rona Saunders, age 57, was sentenced in Nelson District Court this week on one charge of reckless ill-treatment of an animal under the Animal Welfare Act.

Saunders pleaded guilty following prosecution by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI).

MPI director of animal welfare and response, Glen Burrell says the animal in question was in serious pain and distress, adding that MPI’s investigation found that, instead of bringing in a veterinarian, Saunders had attempted to remove the cancer herself, with assistance from her son.

“This action was unconscionable,” Burrell says.

There were 29 mixed age beef cattle on the property, and in November 2023, following a complaint, an animal welfare inspector examined the Hereford cross cow which had a large growth on the side of its head.

The lesion was cancerous and had spread from the cow’s eye to throughout the left-hand side of the cow’s head.

“This growth was entirely visible, and at no point did Ms Saunders seek veterinary help,” Burrell says.

“Our attending veterinarian recommended euthanizing the animal immediately and described it as one of the worst cases of cancer eye he had seen in 30 years of practice,” he adds.

The cow was subsequently euthanized to stop further suffering.

“When we find evidence of deliberate neglect – we will investigate and take action by placing the matter before the court,” Burrell says.

MPI says it strongly encourages any member of the public who is aware of animal ill-treatment or cruelty to report it to the MPI animal welfare complaints freephone 0800 00 83 33.