Table 3.

Fraser’s “practical” ethic principles applied to farmer neglecting stock scenario.

Principle	Specific Considerations
Provide good lives for animals in our care	The veterinarian can give specific and practical animal health care advice, nutritional advice and pasture assessment (or seek advice from another suitably qualified person to do so). The veterinarian can express concerns about the ongoing care for these animals and provide practical assistance or connect the owner with agencies who can provide practical assistance, to facilitate appropriate animal husbandry.
Treat suffering with compassion	The veterinarian can listen to the farmer and try to find out when things went wrong, what resources the client has access to and what are the key barriers to appropriate animal care. Euthanasia may be required for animals in poor condition. Alternatively, arrangements may be made to sell animals if they are fit to transport, to ensure they are relocated to a property where their welfare needs can be met. A time-frame can be given to enable the farmer to rectify the issues. The farmer must be dealt with sensitively, as the welfare of animals in his care depends on his well-being. The veterinarian can provide information regarding health care support resources and services and ask the farmer if he or she can contact a mental health service on his behalf.
Be mindful of unseen harm	In relocating animals, it is important to ensure that the property they are relocated to is suitable and not overcrowded, and that these animals do not introduce disease to other animals (or vice versa). If the complaint is escalated, the client’s mental health may worsen. Farmers charged with and convicted for animal neglect or cruelty face stigmatisation, which may be exacerbated by media reporting [44]. This may add to pressures contributing to mental health problems associated with poor animal care.
Protect the life-sustaining processes and balances of nature	It is important to address the health of the animals, as a poorly managed herd can have environmental impacts on paddock health, parasite load, erosion and land degradation and interaction of domestic with wildlife. Dead animals contaminate water courses which flow onto other properties, and these should be removed as soon as possible. The weeds should be removed, and paddocks cycled so that they can be used for other animals. It is also important to ensure that the cattle are moved to an appropriate site with appropriate stocking density.