be euthanased due to the extremity of their
condition. Dealing with the situation on this
farm took an entire week and was mentally
and physically exhausting for all concerned.
Chief Inspector Gent said: "Some of the
suffering that we found here had been going
on for months. It was a traumatic experience
for all involved and there can be absolutely no
excuse for what happened here."
Truly shocking
In court, mitigation was heard that the
defendant had found it difficult to get food
to the animals because of the poor weather
conditions, and that he had now moved to
a smaller farm where he was successfully
farming sheep.
The district judge told the defendant: "The
scenes officers were met with were truly
shocking. The weather was poor but it didn't
mean it was impossible for you to attend to
the needs of the animals; other farmers were
dealing with them. All of this came about
Investigating officer:
RSPCA Inspector Garry Palmer
Defendant:
Male 29, farmer
Offences:
Animal Welfare Act 2006 s4 and s9
Pleas:
Guilty
Total convictions:
Three
Sentence:
Disqualified from keeping
bovines and equines for 10 years;
16 weeks' imprisonment.
Prosecuted by:
Freeman Johnson Solicitors
because of your stubbornness and pride,
you must have been aware the situation had
become too difficult for you. It was a truly
atrocious situation."
The vet said had it not been for the
intervention of the RSPCA the suffering
would have been far greater.
A bullock had collapsed in the
slurry and was unable to move.
35