Animal rights organisation SAFE has slammed a judge’s
decision at the Porirua District Court to discharge without
conviction two men who shot a much-loved bull multiple times
with a bow.
The attack took place in North Wellington
in August 2021. Arrows were found embedded in his stomach
and neck and there was a deep wound on his right
shoulder.
The owner of the animals told
Stuff “There is no recognition they did something
wrong.”
SAFE Campaigns Manager Anna de Roo says the
offence was cruel and should have carried a
conviction.
“This offence was a deliberate, depraved
attack on an animal,” said de Roo.
“Aotearoa talks a
big game about its animal welfare standards. But this case
just shows how little regard the justice system has for
animals and their wellbeing.”
The Ministry for Primary
Industries, which is the lead enforcement agency for animal
welfare on farms, receives thousands of animal welfare
complaints every year, yet less than 1% of those complaints
lead to prosecution.
“This is not the only case where
cruelty to animals has gone unpunished. Even when
perpetrators are prosecuted, the penalties are often
disturbingly light.”
“New Zealand has Commissioners to
represent the most vulnerable populations in society,
including children and the environment. Animals, however,
are not represented by an independent voice.”
“Cases
like this show why a Commissioner for Animals is urgently
needed.”
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