Waharoa Man Sentenced For Failing to Treat Cow’s Eye Injury

Waharoa man sentenced after he failed to treat cow’s severe eye injury

A Waharoa man was sentenced in the Hamilton District Court yesterday due to his failure to treat the obvious injuries afflicting his cow.

Billy Tui was found guilty of failing to ensure an animal in his care received treatment and was sentenced to 150 hours community work, ordered to pay $788.20 in reparations and a contribution of $500.00 towards solicitor costs. He was also disqualified from owning all animals for five years.

The cow was examined by SPCA Inspectors and veterinarians at the Waharoa property of Tui’s associate, between 8 and 9 July 2015.

Veterinary examination revealed that Tui’s cow had a severe eye injury involving a tumorous growth, consistent with a sun-induced cancer, affecting the lower eyelid, with severe inflammation and infection of the upper and lower eyelids.

The vet concluded that the cow would have been in severe pain for weeks. She added that irritation from pain, discharging fluid, and insects would have caused additional distress, and that the poor body condition of the cow indicated prolonged stress. Euthanasia was recommended, as the cow was not a surgical candidate due to the severe tissue damage and poor prognosis.

SPCA CEO Andrea Midgen says she is pleased that the sentence includes a disqualification of owning all animals.

“This is a case of neglect where the offender has abnegated his responsibility for the wellbeing of his animal and has paid the price,” says Ms Midgen.

“Animals rely on us to provide them with their needs and that includes veterinary care. It is unacceptable to see an animal in such pain and yet do nothing about it.”

ENDS

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