Keeper banned from keeping livestock for five years

When Animal Health Officers from Worcestershire County Council’s Trading Standards service visited land off Withybed Lane, Inkberrow, they found several sheep in an appalling condition.

Alongside vets from the Animal Plant Health Agency and an RSPCA Inspector with “flystrike,” the team discovered the animals with maggot infestations so bad that the skin was effectively decaying rendering them unable to get up.

Further inspection of the land around the flock revealed several carcasses in various states of decay as well as a bonfire where there had been attempts to illegally dispose of some sheep carcasses in the same field.

Nathan Hollis, who gave his address as 6 Harvest Close, Stoke Heath, Bromsgrove pleaded guilty to four offences at Worcester Magistrates Court on 21 June, including causing unnecessary suffering to three sheep under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and a number under the Animal By-Product Regulations 2013 including failing to prevent other animals having access to carcasses, failing to dispose of carcasses without undue delay and failing to dispose of sheep carcasses in a manner prescribed in law.

Hollis was a Director of TTL Agri Limited, the company registered as the keeper of sheep at this location.

Magistrates handed Hollis a 12-month community order with 270 hours of unpaid work and ordered him to pay £6,448.96 costs and a £114 victim surcharge. He also received a banning order preventing him from any involvement with livestock for five years.

Simon Wilkes, Head of Worcestershire Regulatory Services, said:
"This was a shocking case of causing animal suffering. I’d like to thank our officers and their colleagues in other agencies for supporting us to bring this matter to Court. The keeping of livestock requires a significant commitment of time and there is a lot that needs to be understood to do this safely and successfully. Keepers have a duty of care to treat animals adequately; where animals die, they must deal with the situation correctly and in a timely manner to minimise the risk of the spread of diseases.

“Following best practices doesn’t just prevent disease from spreading within one farm, they also prevent it from spreading to other farms and helps to protect the food chain. 
The law is there to protect animals, farmers, and consumers alike. This case serves as a timely reminder to anyone considering keeping livestock animals.”

David Collins, Veterinary Head for Field Delivery – Western Region, Animal and Plant Health Agency said:  

“I welcome the outcome of this case and hope it will act as a clear reminder to others of the importance of adhering to animal welfare legislation, which is there to protect animals from this kind of treatment.

“This case demonstrates how our robust enforcement and close work with local authorities can bring those guilty of breaches of animal health and welfare legislation to justice. 

“APHA takes potential breaches of animal health and welfare legislation very seriously and will continue to investigate all allegations.”