A Dungannon farmer has been given a suspended prison term after admitting a number of offences relating to the welfare of animals, with two having to be euthanised due to unnecessary suffering.
Ian Boyd, (56), of Pomeroy Road, appeared before Dungannon Magistrates’ Court on six charges in relation to offences under the Welfare of Animals Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 and two charges under the Animal By-Products (Enforcement) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015.
He admitted four charges of failure to ensure the needs of an animals were met, two of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal, one charge of failure to comply with an animal by-product requirement, one of failure to dispose of an animal carcase.
Boyd pleaded guilty and received six months imprisonment suspended for two years on the unnecessary suffering charges. He was disqualified from keeping, owning, participating in keeping animals, being party to an arrangement under which animals are kept, from transporting and arranging transport of all animals for eight years and was fined £500 plus £15 offender levy.
He also received three months imprisonment suspended for two years for the failure to ensure the needs of animals were met and the disposal of animal carcase charges.
The case was brought to the attention of DAERA following a complaint from a member of the public.
DAERA officers visited the premises on numerous occasions between February 7, 2023 and August 3o, 2023.
During these inspections, the officers noted that animals were in poor condition, and some animals were ill or injured, as well as not having sufficient feed or water.
Two animals were euthanised by the DAERA veterinary officer present as, in his veterinary opinion, they were suffering unnecessarily.
The officer also discovered the decayed carcass of one bovine animal, which was not disposed properly, as required by the animal by-product regulations.
