King Country farmer fined for animal welfare neglect
Friday 21 August 2026 · 2 outlets · 2 reports · updated In this story Ministry for Primary Industries
William George Toms, 70, was fined $29,250 after pleading guilty to five charges under the Animal Welfare Act. Ministry for Primary Industries inspectors found sheep suffering from malnourishment, parasites, foot rot and flystrike on a farm near Te Kūiti. Twenty-three sheep had to be euthanised to end their suffering.