A BROMSGROVE man who kept sheep in appalling conditions in Inberrow has been banned by magistrates from keeping livestock for five years and was given a community order and hefty fine.
Nathan Hollis, who gave his address as 6 Harvest Close, Stoke Heath, Bromsgrove pleaded guilty to four offences at Worcester Magistrates Court on June 21, including causing unnecessary suffering to three sheep.
He also pleaded guilty to 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.
When animal health officers from Worcestershire County Council’s Trading Standards visited land off Withybed Lane, Inberrow, where the livestock were kept they found several sheep in a terrible state.
Trading Standards visited alongside the Animal Plant Health Agency and an RPSCA inspector and found animals with maggot infestations so bad their 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.
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 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.
“APHA takes potential breaches of animal health and welfare legislation very seriously and will continue to investigate all allegations.”
