An abattoir has been fined almost £7,000 for breaching EU regulations about the welfare of animals before they’re killed after leaving a number of sheep “severely dehydrated” due to lack of drinking water.
A hearing at Stockport Magistrates Court heard Manchester Abattoir Limited had caused injury and severe dehydration to sheep waiting to be slaughtered on two occasions in May 2021. The Stockport-based firm had put 54 sheep into a pen designed to hold 40, causing injury to four sheep who needed an “emergency slaughter” after their injuries were discovered on May 11, 2021.
A few days later, on May 16, a drinking trough in a pen holding 78 sheep was discovered to be empty. Staff were unable to tell how long the sheep had been without water.
