Donald Charles Pelvin

Published on www.stuff.co.nz 10/02/2021

https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/farming/124203541/south-canterbury-lifestyle-farmer-fined-17500-for-starving-and-illtreating-sheep

A South Canterbury lifestyle farmer has been fined $17,500 for the reckless ill-treatment of his sheep, failing to provide them with proper feed, and not treating them for parasites.

Donald Charles Pelvin, 67, was sentenced in Christchurch District Court on Wednesday on three animal welfare charges brought by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI).

MPI national animal welfare and NAIT compliance manager Gray Harrison said the animals were Pelvin’s responsibility and he had failed them.

“Mr Pelvin did not give them the feed and veterinary treatment they needed and as a result they suffered unnecessary pain and distress.”

Animal welfare inspectors visited Pelvin’s property, a 12.5-acre lifestyle block at Pleasant Point, in August 2019 following a complaint from a member of the public.

At the time, Pelvin was responsible for 75 sheep and 27 lambs.

“There was very low pasture cover in the paddocks and no supplementary feed available,” Harrison said.

The inspection found 20 emaciated sheep, along with six dead in and around a water race. Another sheep was found tangled in fencing wire.

Thirteen of the 20 sheep were euthanised while the other seven were able to be managed in order to save their imminent lambs.

The animals’ condition was the result of the lengthy and combined effects of minimal feed and heavy parasite burden, Harrison said.