MPI manager of animal welfare compliance, Gray Harrison, the scene officers were greeted with was extremely unpleasant, and the situation could have been avoided if Chase had fed and looked after the animals properly.
"It was obvious Mr Chase had shown a complete lack of animal husbandry and supervision including a failure to provide enough food for the ewes in his care and failing to sheer, crutch, dag and drench them," Harrison said.
"The Animal Welfare Act imposes a duty of care on owners and people in charge of animals, to meet their animals' physical, health and behavioural needs and to provide treatment that alleviates pain and distress suffered by any ill or injured animals."
This is mandatory and extends to beef cattle, and other animals.
"The condition of the animals in Mr Chases' care was totally unacceptable."
Sheep need to be checked regularly, but even more closely when they are fully-fleeced, close to lambing and in poor condition so that remedial action can be taken if necessary, Harrison said.
