A judge has criticised the ‘cruel behaviour’ of some in the dairy industry, while sentencing a farm manager for neglecting a herd of dairy cows to the point that their tails fell off.
Parvinder Singh, 37, appeared in the Christchurch District Court on Tuesday for sentencing on three charges relating to 137 cows injured in his care.
Singh had previously pleaded guilty and admitted to failing to provide medical care for the animals, and for failing to minimise their suffering.
Singh was the farm manager for around 850 cows on an Ashburton farm from June 2020 to February 2022.
According to the summary of facts, the cows had dislocated tailbones which tore ligaments and cartilage.
A vet who checked the herd believed the type and prevalence of tail breaks could “only be attributed to trauma inflicted by human intervention”.
Six cows had their tails amputated, and one had its tail fall off during the vet’s visits to the farm.
Singh’s lawyer Jennifer North said a fine of $2000 to $3000 would be appropriate, as he was made redundant by the farm during his case.
Judge Stephen O’Driscoll said while Singh had not caused the broken tails, he had failed to meet the animals’ “physical health and behavioural needs” as farm manager.
“It’s not just a matter of the number of cows involved, but it’s important to look at all matters”
Judge O’Driscoll said the case would set an important precedent for other farmers.
“There seem to be a number of cases where those in the dairy industry engage in this kind of, what can only be called cruel behaviour towards animals.
“There is therefore also a need to denounce your conduct.”
O’Driscoll said Singh had no prior convictions and was unlikely to reoffend.
“It is important that everyone can look at New Zealand and see the high standards of dairying.”
Singh was fined $5000 for failing to minimise the harm that came to the cows, and instructed to pay $2,972 in veterinary fees.
He was convicted and discharged on two other counts of failing to provide medical care to the animals.
By Anisha Satya
