Cow beaten so badly she struggled to walk

Michael Ian Luke, a 62-year-old former Mangapai dairy farm manager, was sentenced yesterday in the Whāngārei District Court following a court case brought through by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI).

Between 1 April and 18 May 2018, Luke handled dairy cows violently, including striking them with excessive force with an alkathene pipe and hitting them about the legs with a metal pipe.

Luke hit one cow in particular about the legs with a metal pipe so severely that both legs were badly swollen and she struggled to walk.

Luke entered a guilty plea to a representative charge under the Animal Welfare Act 1999. He was convicted and ordered to pay $3,130. 

The charge was related to hitting a cow with an alkathene pipe and a metal bar.

MPI director of compliance Gary Orr said people who were in charge of animals had a duty of care toward them. 

"The law is clear on these matters and anyone would agree this does not meet our high standards for the care of animals."

Individuals who are aware of animal ill-treatment or cruelty can report it to the MPI animal welfare complaints freephone on 0800 00 83 33.