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HomeFarming News10-year animal ban for farmer who let dead animals pile up
Catherina Cunnane
Catherina Cunnanehttps://www.thatsfarming.com/
Catherina Cunnane hails from a sixth-generation drystock and specialised pedigree suckler enterprise in Co. Mayo. She currently holds the positions of editor and general manager at That's Farming, having joined the firm during its start-up phase in 2015.
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10-year animal ban for farmer who let dead animals pile up

A farmer has been handed a 10-year animal ban after welfare breaches.

Herefordshire Council’s Trading Standards Service took the case to Hereford Magistrates’ Court.

Harry Glyn Prosser (69) of Great Bilboa Farm Dulas pleaded guilty to six charges in total.

10-year animal ban

Furthermore, the was disqualified from keeping all animals (except his dog) for ten years after allowing livestock to suffer, failing to provide a suitable environment and for failing to correctly store and dispose of a large number of animal carcasses.

Mr Prosser was sentenced in September at Hereford Magistrates’ Court and received a 10-year disqualification order from keeping animals, a fine of £1800 with a victim surcharge of £180 and ordered to pay costs of £3200.

David Hough, Herefordshire Council’s Trading Standards Service Manager, said:

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“This is a very serious case where the farmer has not provided a suitable environment for the livestock on the farm and allowed these animals to suffer without water and surrounded by deadstock.”

Large amount of dead cattle and sheep

Officers first attended Great Bilboa farm in 2019 and were shocked to find a large amount of dead cattle and sheep with many just being left where they had fallen.

The court heard live sheep and cattle had access to all of the farm including the dead stock and other numerous hazards such as chemicals, broken machinery and a lack of fresh drinking water.

One calf was left in a small enclosure on its own with no water. The only other animals the calf could see was a pile of dead sheep.

It took several visits by animal welfare officers to get Mr Prosser to remove the deadstock. The court was told that at no time did Mr Prosser try to remove any hazards to the livestock on the farm or prevent the animals from accessing the hazards.

On further visits over the winter and early 2020, more livestock died and had not been disposed of.

“Herefordshire Council will continue to work with all livestock keepers to ensure that best practice is maintained on farms and smallholdings.”

“We will not tolerate animal suffering and action will be taken against anyone who disregards the welfare of farmed animals,” Hough concluded.

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