Tougher sentence dished out to Kiwi calf abuser
Library photo © Tim Scrivener A New Zealand slaughterman will face tougher penalties for criminally abusing 115 bobby calves, the New Zealand government has confirmed.
Noel Erickson, 39, has received a two-year prison sentence after animal welfare activists captured 10 cases of “violent abuse” of young bulls calves at a pet food plant in Waikato last year.
This follows an appeal after Mr Erickson was initially given a 10-month home detention and 200 hours community service.
See also: New Zealand brings charges over abuse of bobby calves
A judge quashed the initial sentencing after a review of the evidence which showed Mr Erickson throwing and dropping calves onto the ground, kicking and hitting them and dragging some under a gate.
The “extreme cruelty” sparked outrage in the farming community when welfare activists captured his “violent abuse” of young bull calves at the Te Kauwhata site.
Three steps to improve bobby calf handling
- Bobby calf focus events and training, attended by more than 2,300 farmers
- Updated resources and posters for ensuring calves were fit for transport and loading facility design
- New bobby calf handling resources
The footage featured in an exposé broadcast on TVNZ in November 2015, prompting farm leaders to champion the high standards of farmers and stress that this was an isolated incident.
New regulations on calf loading are expected to come into effect in August 2017 and many farmers have already updated facilities, said DairyNZ chief executive Tim Mackle.
Farmers, processors and hauliers have had good practice in bobby calf welfare and management reinforced with warning letters and infringement notices, said a government spokesperson.
Latest calf upset
Footage emerged late last month of calves being loaded hurriedly onto trucks, which DairyNZ has been quick to defend and differentiate from the Erickson case.
Speaking on 26 October, Mr Mackle said: “Last year we saw footage of abhorrent treatment and cruelty of calves at a pet food processing plant. Today’s footage of calves being passed and loaded on to trucks is nothing like that footage, and cannot and should not be compared.
“While some of the handling is rougher than we would like, the workers appear to be following the accepted practice of loading calves by rolling them rear end first. Despite perception, this is the best way to prevent calves from stepping back out of the truck and causing themselves harm.”