CONVICTED: Was justice served?
more information on voting
When you vote, you are voting on whether or not the punishment fit the crime, NOT on the severity of the case itself. If you feel the sentence was very weak, you would vote 1 star. If you feel the sentence was very strong, you would vote 5 stars.
Please vote honestly and realistically. These ratings will be used a a tool for many future programs, including a "People’s Choice" of best and worst sentencing, DA and judge "report cards", and more. Try to resist the temptation to vote 1 star on every case, even if you feel that 100 years in prison isn’t enough.
Case #10281 Rating: 3.3 out of 5
Goat dragged behind quad bike
Huntley, WA (NZ)Incident Date: Tuesday, Jan 31, 2006
Disposition: Convicted
Defendant/Suspect: Leah Scott
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) today praised the sentencing of a farmer for what it called an "appalling case of animal cruelty".
Leah Scott was convicted in Huntly District Court this week for dragging the family's four-year-old pet goat, Nibbles, behind a quad bike, causing such serious injuries the animal had to be put down.
Scott was fined $4000 under the Animal Welfare Act plus $325 for veterinary fees and court costs.
Her request for name suppression was denied.
The court was told that after the ordeal in February, Nibbles was found to have several large pieces of skin missing from its left side exposing flesh, and its knee joints were worn raw showing one tendon.
When Scott's estranged husband saw the state of Nibbles he asked her to phone the vet.
But she just tied the goat to a fence and left.
He called the vet, who recommended euthanasia because of the severity of Nibbles' injuries and the poor prognosis of a complete recovery.
Scott's explanation for her actions was that she was stressed at the break-up of her marriage.
Nibbles had been getting off his chain and running on the road, was heavy to handle and had head-butted one of her children.
MAF's compliance and enforcement investigations manager Greg Reid said the ministry was "very pleased" with the outcome of the case.
"This is an appalling case of animal cruelty.
"Under the Animal Welfare Act 1999 it is the responsibility of everyone who owns or is in charge of animals to care for them and prevent pain, suffering and distress.
"This sad case shows a blatant disregard of this obligation." References
|
