An Auckland man has been sentenced for mistreating 600 birds, after previously escaping with a warning over another animal welfare complaint.
Keshva Rajan kept the chickens, rooster and ducks in mud and faeces, amongst the bodies of other dead birds in Glenbrook.
The animals lived in overcrowded areas with no shelter, and not enough food and water.
An SPCA inspector discovered the birds with severe feather loss and in very thin condition. Some of the living birds were taken to a vet but had to be put down, as they were unlikely to survive.
Rajan pleaded guilty in the Manukau District Court to three charges including ill-treatment and failure to ensure the health needs of an animal.
He has been sentenced to six months home detention, 150 hours of community work, and ordered to pay veterinary and court costs totalling $3840.
He is also disqualified from owning animals for 10 years.
It isn't the first time Rajan has come under fire for ill-treatment of animals.
Between 2012 and 2013, the SPCA found Rajan had been conducting an illegal poultry and home-kill business of sheep, goats, pigs, ducks and chickens at his Patumahoe property.
A verbal warning was issued and inspections continued until compliance was achieved.
Rajan claimed he was closing the business, but later restarted at another property in Glenbrook.
"These birds endured a huge amount of pain and stress at the hands of the person who was supposed to care for them," SPCA chief executive Andrea Midgen says.
"A post-mortem examination found the birds had suffered greatly for a number of weeks, if not months.
"They were severely emaciated, dehydrated, had significant feather loss, and were riddled with lice and worms. Their owner had completely failed to ensure their needs were being met.
"It is disappointing that Mr Rajan did not follow orders after the first series of inspections.
"Our inspectors will always try and work with people to achieve the right outcome in the first instance. Unfortunately, Mr Rajan did not cooperate and we were compelled to prosecute."
Newshub.
