Stoke-based farmer punished for serious livestock neglect

A livestock keeper from Stoke-on-Trent has been given an 18-week jail sentence, suspended for 12 months, ordered to pay £1,500 in costs, and given a lifetime ban on keeping cattle, pigs and dogs.

Daniel Bowd, 28, of Old Stores Cottage, Lower Leigh, Stoke-on-Trent, pleaded guilty to a catalogue of animal welfare offences against pigs and dogs. 

See also: Staffordshire farmer banned from keeping animals

Mr Bowd admitted failing to dispose of animal bones correctly and failing to maintain a register of the cattle on his holding.

He also admitted to not maintaining a proper veterinary medicine record for his livestock.

When Staffordshire County Council’s animal health officers visited the holding used by Mr Bowd, on 7 January this year, they found a number of pigs with no food and water, and no dry lying area, with evidence of some of them eating other dead pigs in the pen.

Three dogs were also found in a pen at the entrance to the holding in appalling conditions looking undernourished.

The animals were taken into possession by the local authority on the day of the visit with help from the RSPCA. Mr Bowd admitted that he had failed to seek veterinary advice. 

Staffordshire County Council’s communities leader, Gill Heath, said: “The vast majority of livestock keepers act responsibly and play an important part in our rural economy.

“Unfortunately, on rare occasions we do get cases like this where animals are badly neglected and even left to die.

“We are pleased this case has reached a successful conclusion. This sentence sends out a clear message that our animal health team will take action against those who break the law in such a manner.”

Mr Bowd was sentenced at Newcastle-under-Lyme magistrates court.

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