14 Nov 2014

Farmer facing animal welfare charges

5:17 pm on 14 November 2014

A farmer is facing animal welfare charges relating to a farm he was managing in central Otago.

The Ministry for Primary Industries said Andrew Wright was due to appear at the Invercargill District Court on 28 November.

Radio New Zealand understands that Mr Wright was managing a sheep and beef farm in the Ida Valley near Alexandra.

It is understood stock were starved, deprived of drinkable water and not put down when injured and in distress.

The farm is for sale and Mr Wright is understood to still be working with animals, but has moved to a farm in Southland.

He disputes the charges, saying there was not any evidence to support them.