ASHBURTON, New Zealand, Oct. 14 (UPI) -- A farmer from New Zealand who was sentenced to 8 months in prison for breaking the tails of 154 cows says he is "sickened" by his actions.
Kevin Craig Smith of Ashburton pleaded guilty in August to willful ill-treatment of the dairy cows by breaking their tails, and failing to provide them with treatment, TVNZ reported Monday.
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In a statement through his lawyer after he was sentenced, Smith said he was "incredibly remorseful" and "horrified and sickened" by what he had done.
Smith said he was under immense stress when he was managing the farm and was also struggling with alcohol addiction.
The defendant faced a maximum sentence of five years in prison or a possible fine of $100,000.
