A PGG Wrightson livestock manager from Gisborne has been fined $11,000 for cruelty to animals.
Neville Clark, 46, pleaded guilty to leaving more than 1400 sheep in a forest block south of Gisborne in March 2008. He was sentenced on Wednesday in the Gisborne District Court.
A summary of facts from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry stated Clark showed little concern for the animals.
Judge Tony Adeane fined Clark $5000 on one charge of ill-treatment and a total of $6000 on four other charges.
He was also ordered to pay the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry $9000 for the cost of its investigation.
MAF says Clark's conduct was well below what is expected of farmers.
Enforcement director Jockey Jensen says Clark made a concious decision to graze a large number of sheep in a forest block which was unsuitable.
He says the sentencing is a timely reminder for farmers who are suffering drought conditions to look after their stock.
