A 51-year-old man in Northern Ireland has been convicted of one charge of causing “avoidable pain, distress or suffering” to an animal, a hen, at the time of killing.
Michael Thorpe, with an address at Sconce Road, Articlave, Coleraine, Co Derry, appeared before Coleraine Magistrates Court sitting in Ballymena on Friday, July 7th, 2023.
He was also convicted of one charge of engaging in the restraint, stunning or killing of an animal without having the knowledge or skill necessary to perform those operations “humanely and efficiently”.
Also, a further single charge related to the failure to hold a carcase that had not been slaughtered for human consumption in such a manner as to ensure that any animal or bird would not have access to it.
Thorpe pleaded guilty, and the judge ordered him to pay a £450 fine in addition to a £15 offender levy.
In a statement, a spokesperson for the DAERA, Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs said:
“The department gives high priority to the welfare of animals and operates a vigorous enforcement policy to ensure full compliance with regulatory requirements.”
“Any breaches are investigated thoroughly and offenders prosecuted as necessary.”
“It would be good practice (as well as being a legal requirement), to remove without delay an animal carcase from to prevent the spread of disease and protect public health and avoid detrimental effects on the environment,” the spokesperson added.
Farm employer handed 12-month sentence after telehandler fatality
Meanwhile, in other news on www.thatsfarming.com, an employer has been sentenced to 12 months in prison following a workplace fatality on his Tipperary farm.
The case involving the incident, which took place in summer 2016, came before Clonmel Circuit Court on Thursday, July 6th, 2023.
On June 26th 2016, a telehandler being used to carry out work on a farm holding at Coleman, Fethard, County Tipperary, went out of control and overturned.
As a result, an employee suffered fatal injuries, and another employee suffered a serious injury, the court heard.
The employer, who was the farm owner and the owner of the telehandler, failed to manage and conduct work activities in such a way as to ensure, so far as was reasonably practicable, the safety, health and welfare at work of his employees.
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