Livestock farmer convicted of ‘unnecessary suffering’

A Northern Ireland cattle farmer has been convicted of unnecessary suffering to one of his animal’s, which was found to be so injured it had to be put down.

Ian Wilson, Ballydermot Road, Castledawson, Magherafelt, pleaded guilty and was fined £300 plus a £15 offender’s levy.

See also: Farmer receives lifetime ban for animal neglect

The case arose from an anonymous complaint by a member of the public to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (Dard) in Northern Ireland.

Veterinary service officers visited Mr Wilson’s farm and discovered an animal with a fractured leg.

In the opinion of the veterinary officer, the animal had the injury for some time. The animal was euthanised to prevent it from suffering further.

Mr Wilson was convicted at Magherafelt magistrates’ court of one charge of caused unnecessary suffering to the animal, contrary to Northern Ireland’s Welfare of Animals Act on Monday (4 April).

A Dard spokesman said the department gave high priority to the welfare of animals and operated a vigorous enforcement policy to ensure full compliance of regulatory requirements.

Any breaches were investigated thoroughly and offenders would be prosecuted as necessary.