Two farmers punished for neglecting animal welfare

Two farmers have received suspended prison sentences, and one of them banned from owning animals for life, after being convicted of animal welfare offences.

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (Apha) prosecuted Timothy Dean Harris after inspectors responded to a complaint and found unnecessary suffering in beef cattle in fields at St Tudy, Cornwall.

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A follow-up visit showed that, while there had been improvements, there were still non-compliances; another two complaints were later inspected by Apha.

Magistrates said the case showed prolonged neglect, with Harris ignoring warnings and advice, which had resulted in high harm to the animals, including death. 

Bodmin Magistrates’ Court heard Harris took responsibility for what had happened and on 25 April sentenced him to a 20-week custodial sentence, suspended for 18 months.

He was ordered to pay £5,000 in costs, a £128 victim surcharge and banned from ever owning animals again.

Poor condition

In a second prosecution, Diana Swabey, of New House Farm, Devon, pleaded guilty to 16 charges relating to animal welfare. 

The court heard that when Apha inspectors visited her farm, they had found numerous animals in poor conditions, including cattle, sheep, pigs, horses and poultry.

Ms Swabey was sentenced to 16-week custodial sentence, suspended for 18 months, and ordered to carry out 150 hours’ unpaid work on each of the four unnecessary suffering charges.

She was also banned from keeping animals for 10 years.

Aled Edwards, Apha’s head of field delivery in England, welcomed the sentences and hoped they would act as a deterrent to others.