A Te Kauwhata pet food company owner has appeared in court facing animal welfare charges.
A worker at the company was sentenced to home detention in July for mistreating bobby calves (file). Photo: RNZ / Alexander Robertson
Alan Cleaver pleaded not guilty in the Huntly District Court to two charges laid under the Animal Welfare and Animal Products Acts.
The charges are representative.
A worker at the company was sentenced to home detention last month for recklessly ill treating bobby calves.
Secret video taken by animal rights group Farmwatch showed the worker throwing and dropping calves onto the ground, kicking and hitting them, and dragging one under a gate.
Mr Cleaver's company, Down Cow Limited, also face two animal welfare charges and has pleaded not guilty.
