A livestock keeper from Isleham has been sentenced following an investigation by Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Trading Standards in relation to animal welfare and disease control offences.
Wendy Davies, 75, of Station Road, Isleham, pleaded guilty to one animal welfare offence and was found guilty of a further nine animal welfare and disease control offences. The two-day trial began on 18 and 19 November at Peterborough Magistrates Court and was then adjourned to 11 December for the final day of the hearing at Cambridge Magistrates Court.
Despite officers from Trading Standards visiting the holding at Willow Tree Stables on several occasions, and Ms Davies receiving extensive advice from both Trading Standards and veterinary surgeons from the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), she failed to act to provide for the basic needs of her livestock.
Pigs were found to be without suitable housing or a dry area in their pens to lie down, without water and were living in hazardous conditions. Poultry were kept in a dirty environment and medicine records and reports of deceased animals had not been maintained.
On Thursday, 5 March, at Cambridge Magistrates Court, Ms Davies was handed a conditional discharge for two years. The conditional discharge means that Ms Davies must not commit any further breaches of animal welfare and disease control legislation for the next two years otherwise immediate sentencing will take place. She was also ordered to pay £10,000 in costs.
Peter Gell, Service Director for Regulatory Services at Cambridgeshire County Council commented: “In Cambridgeshire, farmers and smallholders work tirelessly to ensure the needs of their animals and poultry are met and disease control measures are adhered to. As an authority, we are committed to tackling those who don’t meet these standards, who don’t uphold the welfare of the animals in their care, or who jeopardise our local animal and poultry stocks by taking short cuts on disease control measures.
“Those who keep livestock must take animal welfare responsibilities seriously, letting animals suffer is not acceptable especially when there is advice and support available.
“Trading Standards will continue to take action to prevent suffering when its identified and use the sanctions available to deter others from offending.”
