Sheep Farmer Convicted Of Ill-treating Animals

A Southland farmer has been convicted of ill-treating animals 52-year-old sheep farmer Bevan Scott Tait, has been sentenced to nine months’ home detention and 150 hours’ community work after admitting animal neglect and ill treatment charges. 226 sheep – making up three quarters of his flock on his Tussock Creek farm were euthanised because of severe emaciation. His lawyer told the Judge he’d been crying out for help, but it never arrived. The judge however felt  he was trying to blame others too much. MPI  inspectors found at least 18 dead sheep in various stages of decomposition, showing signs of prolonged starvation and with two years growth of wool on them. Judge Brandts-Giesen, said his offending was serious, particularly given he was an experienced farmer and his conduct brings the whole farming industry into disrepute. The judge, also disqualified Tait from owning or managing farm animals for four years.