Wednesday, 10 February 2021 16:55

South Canterbury lifestyle farmer fined $17,500 for starving and ill-treating animals

Written by  Staff Reporters
A South Canterbury farmer was fined $17,500 for starving and ill-treating his sheep. A South Canterbury farmer was fined $17,500 for starving and ill-treating his sheep.

A lifestyle farmer has been fined $17,500 for the reckless ill-treatment of his sheep, failing to provide them with proper feed, and not treating them for parasites.

Donald Charles Pelvin, 67, was sentenced in Christchurch District Court today on three animal welfare charges brought by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI).

MPI national animal welfare and NAIT compliance manager Gray Harrison says MPI investigates reports of animal mistreatment and takes appropriate action against offenders.

“These animals were Mr Prelvin’s responsibility and he failed them.

“Mr Prelvin did not give them the feed and veterinary treatment they needed and as a result they suffered unnecessary pain and distress,” Harrison says.

He says animal welfare inspectors visited Prelvin’s property at Pleasant Point on 5 August 2019 following a complaint from a member of the public.

“At the time of the inspection, Mr Prelvin was responsible for 75 sheep and 27 lambs.

“There was very low pasture cover in the paddocks and no supplementary feed available,” says Harrison.

As a result of the lengthy and combined effects of minimal feed and heavy parasite burden the inspection identified 20 emaciated sheep along with six dead in and around the water race. Another sheep was found tangled in fencing wire.

“13 of the 20 sheep required euthanasia to end their suffering. The other seven were able to be managed in order to save their imminent lambs,” says Harrison.

MPI is strongly encouraging members of the public who are aware of animal ill-treatment or cruelty to report it to the MPI animal welfare complaints line so that prompt action can be taken.

More like this

Bikinis in cowshed

OPINION: An animal activist organisation is calling for an investigation into the use of dairy cows in sexuallly explicit content posted on social media and adult entertainment subscription site OnlyFans.

Editorial: Agri's mojo is back

OPINION: Good times are coming back for the primary industries. From sentiment expressed at Fieldays to the latest rural confidence survey results, all indicate farmer confidence at a near-record high.

MPI: Primary sector exports hit record $60B

A blockbuster year and an exciting performance: that's how Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) Director General, Ray Smith is describing the massive upsurge in the fortunes of the primary sector exports for the year ended June 2025.

Featured

DairyNZ thanks farm staff

August 6 marks Farm Worker Appreciation Day, a moment to recognise the dedication and hard mahi of dairy farm workers across Aotearoa - and DairyNZ is taking the opportunity to celebrate the skilled teams working on its two research farms.

Editorial: Getting RMA settings right

OPINION: The Government has been seeking industry feedback on its proposed amendments to a range of Resource Management Act (RMA) national direction instruments.

Why is butter so expensive in New Zealand? Fonterra explains

Kiwis love their butter, and that's great because New Zealand produces some of the best butter in the world. But when the price of butter goes up, it's tough for some, particularly when many other grocery staples have also gone up and the heat goes on co-operative Fonterra, the country's main butter maker. Here the co-op explains why butter prices are so high right now.

National

Machinery & Products

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Trop de Paris!

OPINION: Your old mate's ear has been chewed off recently by farmers voicing their displeasure with the National Party, particularly…

NZ vs Aussie beef

OPINION: Your old mate hears that at a recent China Business Summit, PM Christopher Luxon delivered a none-too-subtle "could try…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter