Farmer Responsible for ‘Total Animal Welfare Disaster’ Jailed for 18 Months
A woman has been jailed for 18 months and banned from keeping animals for life after causing what has been described as a 'total animal welfare disaster'.
Our inspectors found suffering animals among piles of animal carcasses, with some trapped waist-deep in faeces at a farm in
27 offences were committed
Complaints had been made by members of the public expressing concerns about animals at the farm and on
There were a large number of dead sheep and cattle in the barn, and lethargic sheep were lying on top of and under sheep carcasses. They were in various stages of decomposition and, in places, were piled on top of one another.
There was no food or water provided, and our Inspectors saw that the sheep had severe wool loss with skin exposed.
In the middle of the cattle area was a large dead cow lying on its side with a young calf next to her. There were other dead cattle by the wall of this barn at varying stages of decomposition.
Animals were being kept in squalid conditions
Our Inspectors found pigs with no dry area as well as numerous hazards, such as bricks and scrap metal, while animal carcasses lay on the ground.
All around the farm was scrap metal causing a potential hazard - including metal pens, hutches, vehicles and other obstacles - which presented a risk for the animals on site.
Vets attended, with one noting how he saw approximately 40 dead sheep, and that live sheep were lying alongside the deceased.
Also present were a few from
A cow was found lying down in a corner and in a small fenced area behind it were two bags of what appeared to be animal bones. There was also a small green trailer - which contained a carcass which may have been a calf but was difficult to identify due to the level of decomposition - and a pig carcass was seen being eaten by a live pig.
Our Inspectors returned over the following days alongside police, vets and officers from the local authority. As the investigation went on, further carcasses were found. Two pigs were also found eating what appeared to be part of another pig carcass and many of the pigs were thin, in poor condition, suffering from mange and being kept in squalid conditions.
Almost 100 dead and decomposed sheep were found
There were areas around the farm populated by old farm machinery vehicles and trailers. There were three more partly decomposed sheep carcasses in the back of one trailer, one sheep skeleton in another trailer, a sheep skeleton in the back of an old 4x4 vehicle and one sheep skeleton in another small trailer.
They also found a large square plastic open-topped tub which was described as containing a "soup" of rainwater and decomposed animal- most likely sheep.
A collector of fallen stock attended and collected almost 100 dead and decomposed sheep, in addition to lambs, horses, a cow, goats and pigs, and returned a few days later to remove further carcasses.
Between March and
There was a continued failure to provide a safe environment for the animals, leading to a number of animals becoming injured or trapped and suffering as a consequence.
The farm was "nothing short of a total animal welfare disaster"
Vet, Dr
I can think of no good reason to explain the presence of a horse's hoof in amongst deep slurry in a pig pen other than to reach the obvious conclusion that the body of a horse has been fed to the pigs.
He also noted that the level of mortality on the farm was exceptionally high in all species and said the mortality rate of the sheep was approx 58 percent.
The flock was infected with untreated sheep scab for which the vet said treatment is easily provided by use of injectable products which can be bought either from a vet or an agricultural merchant.
Many sheep had fractures to limbs because of the hazardous environment in which they were being kept.
He concluded that many of the animals were caused to suffer and that their needs regarding environment and access to food and water were not being met.
This was one of the "worst cases of animal cruelty ever seen"
During one visit a cow was seen in the barn on the floor. After her death, she was taken for a post mortem examination which showed she had sustained significant injury which would have caused her pain some days prior to her death, yet no vet treatment or investigation was sought.
Following further complaints, additional visits were made to the farm in 2016 and 2017, where further offences were uncovered.
Our Inspector
The conditions at the farm were upsetting. The suffering of the animals will stick in the minds of all those who helped with the rescue. It was heartbreaking.
Animals were forced to endure unnecessary suffering
Councillor
This was a shocking case, where a large number of animals endured unnecessary suffering. Were pleased to finally see this case reach its conclusion and that the judge recognised the severity of the offences and handed out considerable punishment.
Failure to comply with animal by-product and movement record rules are serious breaches of legislation which aim to control disease risks, ensure livestock traceability, and protect the integrity of the food chain. Not only do some diseases pose a risk to public health, but the spread of animal diseases can have a devastating effect on farmers and the rural economy. This person has shown an ongoing disregard for these rules and a failure to take on board any advice given to them.
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