A man has been banned from keeping farm animals for the rest of his life after neglecting his livestock and leaving animals emaciated. Timothy Dean Harris' neglect led to danger and even death for the animals in his care and the charges were deemed so severe he was given a jail sentence.
His crimes include allowing cattle to be "in poor body condition" and leaving multiple carcasses in fields or incorrectly stored. One lamb had a severe skin infection following flystrike and he failed to provide them with a suitable diet, reports Cornwall Live.
The 46-year-old appeared at Bodmin Magistrates' Court on April 25 where he received a 20-week custodial sentence, suspended for 18 months. He was also ordered to pay £5,000 in costs and £128 victim surcharge.
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He pleaded guilty to five offences relating to animal welfare and animal by-products on January 3. It was following a prosecution brought by Cornwall Council.
Councillor Martyn Alvey, Cornwall Council’s portfolio holder for environment and climate change, said: “Where officers find non-compliance or a complete disregard for farm animal welfare, the Council will not hesitate to take formal action. Allowing sheep access to hazards and failing to treat them for flystrike infection, failing to treat lame cattle and provide them with a suitable diet, and leaving carcasses to rot in fields is completely unacceptable. I welcome the court’s decision to protect animals and the reputation of the Cornish farming industry.”
In May 2022, inspectors from Cornwall Council's animal health team and the government's Animal and Plant Health Agency inspected Harris’ stock in fields around the village of St Tudy in response to a complaint. Inspectors found cattle in poor body condition and two lame cows.
They also found sheep which had access to loose fencing and trailing barbed wire. Further complaints were made which resulted in visits in June and July where officers found multiple carcasses which were incorrectly stored or left in fields. They also found a lamb that had a severe skin infection following flystrike.
On January 3 at Bodmin Magistrates' Court, Harris pleaded guilty to five offences relating to animal welfare and animal by-products and sentencing was adjourned. The court heard that Harris’s father, who used to help care for the animals, had been taken ill some months before.
Harris took sole ownership of the animals and was helping to care for his grandmother too at the time. Harris told the court he took responsibility for what has happened and won’t be keeping stock again.
The court said the case showed prolonged neglect with ignored warnings and advice which resulted in high harm to the animals involved, including death. The offences are so serious they surpassed the custodial sentence, but this was suspended due to the animals having been sold.
The lifetime ban may not be appealed for 10 years and is effective immediately. Jane Tomlinson, trading standards manager at Cornwall Council, said: "This case was brought after inspectors had given Mr Harris advice and guidance on many occasions. Mr Harris clearly did not take on board this advice which lead to the welfare issues with his cattle and sheep and a disregard for the legislation concerning the disposal of carcasses.
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