The Code of Welfare governing sheep and beef cattle requires that urgent remedial action must be taken to improve the condition of any animal in this state, or the animal must be destroyed humanely.
MPI's manager of animal welfare compliance Gray Harrison said the scene that greeted the MPI animal welfare inspectors was extremely unpleasant.
"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," said Harrison.
"This situation could've been avoided if Chase had supervised and looked after his animals properly.
"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.
"The Code of Welfare for Sheep and Beef Cattle expands on the requirements of the act.
"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.
"The condition of the animals in Mr Chases' care was totally unacceptable. We never find these sorts of cases easy. But we always ensure we take the appropriate action to penalise people who treat animals this way."
MPI encourages anyone with animal welfare complaints to use its confidential hotline number: 0800 00 83 33.
