• WARNING – This article contains graphic violence that some readers may find upsetting

Former Canterbury dairy manager Mike Luke, who was filmed repeatedly and violently bashing his cows, was sentenced in the Whangārei District Court today – and fined $3,130.

Between 1 April and 18 May 2018, MPI said 62-year-old Michael Ian 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.

The attacks took place at a sharemilking facility in Northland.

In a statement provided by MPI it said 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.

The footage was taken by Farmwatch after complaints from farm workers were ignored by the Ministry for Primary Industries.

SAFE CEO Debra Ashton says she’s angry such an appalling example of animal abuse received such a lenient punishment.

“This man repeatedly beat the animals under his care and has walked away with one of the lightest sentences that we’ve seen in a while. It’s a shocking outcome.”

The video evidence gathered by Farmwatch, which eventually promoted MPI to prosecute, was deemed inadmissible by the judge.

The charge Mike Luke was convicted was from other evidence not supplied by Farmwatch.

Mike Luke was fined for failing to minimise pain and distress in dairy cattle.

The charge under the Animal Welfare Act 1999 was related to hitting a cow with an alkathene pipe and a metal bar.

“Debra Ashton says if MPI had done their job properly, it wouldn’t be left to volunteers to gather evidence of animal abuse.

“Unless MPI is stripped of their animal welfare responsibilities, animals will continue to be abused and fall through the cracks of the system.”

Ashton wants the Minister of Agriculture Damien O’Connor to support the establishment of a Crown entity with the sole responsibility of ensuring New Zealand’s animal welfare laws are adhered to.

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

“MPI investigates reports of animal mistreatment and takes appropriate action against offenders.”

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

“Instances where individuals are seen to demonstrate poor standards of animal welfare impact on the New Zealand public’s perception of the dairy industry, and the perception of the industry overseas. This in turn impacts on responsible industry players and New Zealand as a whole. “

Any member of the public who is aware of animal ill-treatment or cruelty to report it to the MPI animal welfare complaints freephone 0800 00 83 33 so that prompt action can be taken.

The Animal Welfare (Dairy Cattle) Code of Welfare, requires dairy cattle are handled in such a way as to minimise the risk of pain injury or distress.

Dairy cattle must not be prodded in sensitive areas, and only the minimum force required must be used when moving them.