Alasdair Currie

Published in stuff.co.nz on 16/10/2024

https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/350450666/farmer-who-left-sheep-die-banned-owning-animals

A Manawatū farmer who left dozens of sheep to suffer slow, painful deaths has been denied a discharge without conviction and instead fined $13,000.

Alasdair Currie appeared for sentencing in the Palmerston North District Court on Tuesday after pleading guilty to charges relating to the the ill treatment of animals, breaching animal welfare standards and failing to following a directive.

His lawyer, Stuart Gloyn, asked the court to consider discharging Currie on the grounds that he was suffering significantly, particularly with his ageing health, and said his client would be punished enough with the “naming and shaming”.

Currie had also “destocked” his farm voluntarily so any risk he carried to animals was removed, Gloyn said.

He argued photos showing the animals “were very compelling” but did not show the full picture.

He said his client felt a deep sense of shame about what had happened, but part of the problem was that he suffered from autism so could only empathise with what was right in front of him.

Judge Lance Rowe said he could not grant the application as the gravity of the offending was too high, and it was important to uphold New Zealand’s animal welfare standards.

He said the offending came to light after years of intervention by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and after notices from animal welfare inspectors to put measures in place.

Currie inherited the two farms on the outskirts of Ashhurst when his father died 12 years ago and ran a mob of 550 sheep.

He also worked a full-time job in Palmerston North, and a “lack of resources, time and skills” meant he was unable to care for the animals.

The summary of facts said Currie had been involved with MPI for a decade. Despite the ministry providing him with warnings and education, he failed to adequately address parasite burdens and other issues.

In May 2022 he was directed to “dip” or treat his sheep for flystrike, a parasitic infestation, but subsequent visits found emaciated and dead sheep as well as some in full wool that were overdue for shearing.

Two sheep found in a hay shed were “close to death” and a full inspection of his mob took place, with several having to be euthanised.

A lamb was also found with a severed Achilles tendon, and the judge said Currie believed this would heal on its own.

After the inspection, further complaints were made to MPI. When staff returned to the farm, they found sheep still covered in flystrike and full wool, and another 24 had died.

Other sheep were significantly burdened with a worm that latched itself onto their stomachs and caused them to starve.

Prosecutor Matt Bannan said: “Thirty sheep were so bad they either died slow deaths or were so close to it their only mercy was euthanasia.”

He said Currie lacked the ability, time and funds to manage the farm.

“Any one of those carries a risk to animal welfare … When you combine all three, it becomes a virtual certainty.”

The judge said the warnings sent to Currie were not adequately heeded, and the sheep were suffering “right before his eyes”.

Currie was unwilling to sell or lease the farm because of a sentimental attachment he had to it, and although he treated some lesions on his sheep, he had not done adequate work to prevent the infestations.

Whether the offending was reckless or intentional “doesn’t reduce the fact these animals were suffering right in front of you”, the judge said.

When determining the appropriate sentence, he noted Currie had diabetes and was recently diagnosed as having probable autism.

But he also had significant family and community support, and some members of the farming community were present for him in the public gallery.

The judge declined an application for permanent name suppression, saying the existing support would not change regardless.

He also imposed an indefinite order banning Currie from owning or caring for any animals, except a dog, and said the appropriate starting point for a fine was $30,000.

After allowing discounts for Currie’s guilty pleas, health and remorse, he ended with a fine of $13,000.