KEY POINTS:
A Manawatu dairy farmer has been fined $1000 for shooting a cow while an animal welfare investigator was checking its condition.
In June 2006 a Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) investigator noticed a Friesian cow lying unrestrained in a trailer, with its head hanging near oncoming traffic.
He followed the trailer for 10km, and watched as the cow struggled to stand but, due to sickness or injury , failed.
The vehicle pulled into a paddock at the property of Robert McVitty, southwest of Palmerston North.
The investigator spoke with McVitty's farm workers, who had transported the cow.
He called for a vet to check if the cow should have been transported in such a manner.
MAF said that an angry McVitty then appeared on the scene brandishing a loaded shotgun.
Without a word he strode past the investigator and despite the man's protestations, shot the cow.
He told the investigator, "It's dead now. It's all over and you can get off my property, you're trespassing".
MAF said McVitty continued to attempt to intimidate the investigator when the vet arrived.
He refused to allow the man to close his vehicle's door to speak with the vet in private, then blocked his exit with a tractor.
MAF said he also threatened the vet, warning him he would regret testifying against him in court.
In Palmerston North District Court last week McVitty pleaded guilty to obstructing and hindering an animal welfare inspector whilst performing his duties.
He was fined $1000 and ordered to pay investigation costs of $762.50 and lawyers' costs of $500.
MAF investigations manager Greg Reid said it was a disturbing case.
"(Investigators) should be able to carry out their duties without this shocking behaviour on the part of the farmer. My staff work on their own and often in isolated localities.
"This defendant brings no credit whatsoever on the farming community and I hope they denounce this cowardly and unjustified behaviour.
"Fortunately this type of behaviour tends to be foreign to the vast majority of farmers we have dealings with in the course of our work."
- NZPA
