An Auckland couple who let farm animals starve to death has been banned from owning animals for 10 years and given community detention.
Mohammed Laxman, 36, and Zeenat Musa, 30, pleaded guilty to animal cruelty charges after abandoning dozens of animals at their rural Helensville property.
SPCA inspectors found 12 dead chickens, goats and bobby calves when they searched the property in 2012.
In the Waitakere District Court on Tuesday, Laxman was given six months' community detention, while Musa was given three months.
Auckland SPCA executive director Bob Kerridge said it was a horrific scene for inspectors who visited the property and the couple used a relationship break-up as an excuse for the neglect.
Laxman and Musa were also ordered to pay $4600 to the SPCA.
