Farmer fined after cattle found in ‘excessive mud’ with lack of bedding

A farmer has pleaded guilty to failing to provide a suitable environment for cattle.

Peter Pattle of Dilton Marsh, Westbury, appeared before Salisbury Magistrates’ Court on November 23^rd, 2021.

He pleaded guilty to five charges under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 for failing to provide a suitable environment for his cattle.

Farmer pleads guilty 

On five occasions between October 27^th, 2020 and May 12^th, 2021, animal health officers from Wiltshire Council, accompanied by a vet from the Animal Plant Health Agency, visited the premises at Tower Hill, Dilton Marsh.

They discovered cattle with access to many hazardous items. These included string, nails, sharp tin, metal rods, machinery, plastic and an “unfenced muckheap”.

According to a statement from Wiltshire Trading Standards, on some occasions, they found cattle in “excessive mud with a lack of appropriate bedding and a young bull had access to the rest of the herd”.

The judge ordered the farm to pay £200, plus a £34 victim surcharge and £1,000 towards prosecution costs.

Suspended prison sentence for a farmer (64)

Meanwhile, a judge has ordered a farmer (64) in NI to pay over £2,000 for numerous animal-related offences following a court appearance.

Mr John Thomas (Sean T) Murphy (64), Carnally Road, Carnally, Newry, appeared before Newry Magistrates’ Court on Monday, December 20^th, 2021.

He was convicted of:

• One charge of causing unnecessary suffering to animals;
• Also, one charge of leaving animals unattended;
• One charge of failing to comply with a duty imposed under animal welfare regulations;
• Also, one charge of failing to isolate an animal with tuberculosis;
• One charge of failing to notify the movement of fourteen cattle off his premises;
• Lastly, one charge of failing to notify the births of eight cattle.

Mr Murphy was convicted and fined £2,100, received two years’ imprisonment suspended for two years on the last two charges plus a £15 offender levy.

The case arose after DAERA’s Welfare and Enforcement Branch found many discrepancies found during a cattle identification inspection.

They were also tasked with seizing a tuberculosis reactor, which Murphy had failed to present for collection and slaughter.

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