Source: NZ Ministry for Primary Industries
An Auckland man has been fined $9,800 and has had restrictions placed on how many cows and horses he can care for and own.
Kevin Maurice Dell (70) was sentenced (5 December 2025) on 3 charges under the Animal Welfare Act he pleaded guilty to, following a successful prosecution by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI). He was disqualified from being the owner or person in charge of more than 2 horses and 10 cows for 2 years.
“Mr Dell was responsible for the care and wellbeing of these animals ??? a young heifer, a bull calf and a thoroughbred horse. He failed to provide for their physical needs or timely veterinary care to manage disease and illness,” says MPI Auckland district manager, animal welfare and NAIT compliance Cody Taylor.
Following a complaint, an MPI animal welfare inspector visited Mr Dell???s 2 lifestyle properties and found a dehydrated young heifer recumbent, laying on its side against a fence, unable to get up, with no access to water. The inspector also found a crossbreed bull calf suffering from an infection after being castrated. Both animals had to be euthanised to end their suffering.
Following a report from the Racing Integrity Board, an MPI animal welfare inspector found one of Mr Dell???s horses, a 9-year-old racing thoroughbred mare which had both hind legs bandaged. There was a significant necrotic wound, and the animal was in extremely poor body condition. The mare had to be euthanised to end its suffering.
???This racing thoroughbred mare was seriously injured and suffering from a lack of veterinarian care which Mr Dell failed to provide. When we find evidence of serious neglect, we take action, says Cody Taylor.
Animal welfare is everyone is responsibility and MPI strongly encourages 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 008 333.
For further information and general enquiries, call MPI on 0800 008 333 or email info@mpi.govt.nz
For media enquiries, contact the media team on 029 894 0328.
