By Katie Oliver
Warning: The following article contains content that may be distressing for some readers.
A Waikato ram was in prolonged pain after its horn slowly grew and pierced through its eyes and face.
Now, the ram's owner has been charged and has been temporarily banned from stock animal ownership.
The SPCA was notified about a fly-infested ram at a Waikato property in February last year - they were shocked to find much more than just flies.
When they assessed the ram, they noticed its head was lowered to the ground, appearing to be disorientated and visually impaired.
The ram was shaking its head constantly with a line of discharge streaming down its face.
The inspectors were horrified to find the ram's left horn curled inside its head, causing a bloody, raw wound above its left eye.
The animal was also flyblown, with flies swarming around its head.
But most alarming was its other horn, which had grown right through its face - entering behind the right eye, which was protruding out of its socket.
SPCA interim chief executive Robyn Kiddle said the injury would have caused the ram severe pain for a long time.
"This was a horrific injury caused by overgrown horns that should have been remedied weeks, if not months, earlier," Kiddle said.
To put an end to its suffering, the ram was euthanised by a vet immediately after the SPCA inspection.
The owner of the ram pleaded guilty to failing to provide for the physical, health and behavioural needs of the animal in Huntly District court last week.
He will be allowed to own stock animals in five years, after his ban runs out.
The defendant's wife, who showed inspectors the ram, said she was aware it had a horn injury and her husband had planned to have a vet euthanise the ram when he returned from being away.
The woman claimed she had contacted a vet the week prior to enquire about the cost of euthanasia, however, local vet clinics had no record of this call.
The accused said he worked away from home and was last at the property two days before SPCA was called.
He argued he hadn’t noticed the ingrown horn and thought the ram was healthy.
"There is absolutely no excuse for ignoring the very clear signs that the ram was in distress," SPCA responded.
As well as being temporarily banned from owning stock animals - the defendant was sentenced to 100 hours of community work and ordered to pay a total of $443 in reparations, prosecution and court costs.
