Animal welfare prosecution

On 1 February 2016, Dylan Ceredig Evans of Tir Blaenant, Glynarthen, Llandysul, pleaded guilty at Aberystwyth Magistrates Court to three charges relating to fallen stock, one charge of unnecessary suffering, four charges relating to failure to take action to treat sheep for scab and one charge of failing to submit sheep movement documents. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

​Mr Evans was fined £1,200 in total for the offences and was ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £150 and costs of £2055.33. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Action was taken against Mr Evans following visits by an Animal Health Officer from the Council to Pantygronw Farm on 11 February 2015 after having received a complaint from a member of the public. On that day 18 sheep carcasses were seen at Pantygronw Farm in various stages of decay. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The Officer returned to Pantygronw Farm on 12 May 2015 to discover a further 22 carcasses comprising of a 18 sheep carcasses and 4 bovine carcasses. The Animal By Products (Enforcement) Wales Regulations 2014 requires fallen stock to be disposed of without undue delay as they pose a risk to animal and public health. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Two further visits to Pantygronw Farm in May and June 2015 found further animal welfare issues in that sheep were found to be suffering from scab and a ram lamb had been left to suffer being unable to stand, was in poor body condition and was also suffering from the effects of fly strike. Mr Evans had also failed to submit a total of 79 animal movement licences to the Local Authority within the stipulated time period of three days. The submission of these licences is essential to ensure traceability of animals for disease control purposes. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

In passing sentence, Chairman of the bench commented that these offences could have been avoided if Mr Evans had taken heed of the advice given to him by the Animal Health Officer. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Cabinet member for Lifestyle Services, commented: “The Animal Health team works closely with farmers to ensure that they comply with legislative requirements. However, on rare occasions the Council must refer serious cases of animal health failures such as this for prosecution to protect both public and animal health and the reputation of our agricultural industry.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​