Key Takeaways
- Kevin Maurice Dell, a 70-year-old Auckland man, has been fined $9800 for violating the Animal Welfare Act.
- Dell pleaded guilty to three charges and has been restricted from owning more than two horses and 10 cows for two years.
- The charges stem from the mistreatment of several animals, including a dehydrated heifer, a crossbreed bull calf, and a racing thoroughbred with significant injuries.
- The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) encourages the public to report animal cruelty and neglect to the animal welfare complaints freephone.
- The case highlights the importance of providing proper care and timely veterinary attention to animals.
Introduction to the Case
An Auckland man, Kevin Maurice Dell, has been fined $9800 and had restrictions placed on his ownership of animals after pleading guilty to three charges under the Animal Welfare Act. The charges were brought by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) after an investigation into the treatment of animals on Dell’s lifestyle properties. The case is a disturbing example of animal neglect and highlights the importance of providing proper care and attention to animals.
The Investigation and Findings
The investigation into Dell’s animal welfare practices began after a complaint was made to the MPI. An animal welfare inspector visited Dell’s properties and found several animals in distress. A young heifer was found dehydrated and unable to get up, with no access to water. A crossbreed bull calf was also found to be suffering from an infection after being castrated. Sadly, both animals had to be euthanized to end their suffering. Further investigation by the MPI found that one of Dell’s horses, a nine-year-old racing thoroughbred, had significant injuries, including a necrotic wound, and was in extremely poor body condition. The mare also had to be euthanized due to the severity of its condition.
Consequences for Dell
As a result of the investigation and subsequent guilty plea, Dell has been disqualified from owning more than two horses and 10 cows for a period of two years. He has also been fined $9800 for his role in the mistreatment of the animals. The MPI’s Auckland district manager of animal welfare and national animal identification and tracing compliance, Cody Taylor, stated that Dell was responsible for the care and wellbeing of the animals and failed to provide for their physical needs or timely veterinary care to manage disease and illness. Taylor emphasized that the MPI takes animal neglect seriously and will take action when evidence of serious neglect is found.
Importance of Reporting Animal Cruelty
The case highlights the importance of reporting animal cruelty and neglect to the authorities. The MPI encourages any member of the public who is aware of animal ill-treatment or cruelty to report it to the animal welfare complaints freephone on 0800 008 333. By reporting concerns, members of the public can help prevent animal suffering and ensure that those responsible for animal welfare are held accountable. The MPI’s animal welfare inspectors work to investigate reports of animal cruelty and neglect, and in this case, their efforts led to the prosecution of Dell and the restriction of his animal ownership.
Conclusion and Prevention
The case of Kevin Maurice Dell serves as a reminder of the importance of providing proper care and attention to animals. Animal owners have a responsibility to ensure that their animals receive adequate food, water, shelter, and veterinary care. The consequences of neglecting these responsibilities can be severe, both for the animals and for the owners themselves. By reporting concerns and holding animal owners accountable, we can work towards preventing animal cruelty and neglect. The MPI’s efforts to investigate and prosecute cases of animal neglect are an important step in protecting animal welfare, and it is essential that the public continues to report concerns to help prevent animal suffering.