A Tyrone farmer was sentenced today (Wednesday, April 20) at a court in Dungannon following “multiple welfare inspections” by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA).
David Reid (57), of Tannaghlane Road, Tannaghlane, Caledon, was convicted of five charges under the Welfare of Animals Act (NI) 2011, one charge under the Animal By-Products (Enforcement) Regulations (NI) 2015, and one charge under the Veterinary Medicine Regulations 2011.
Reid was convicted of:
- One charge of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal;
- Four charges of failure to ensure the needs of an animal were met;
- One charge of failure to dispose of animal carcasses;
- One charge of failure to produce medicine records.
Reid had previously pleaded guilty to these charges and was fined £1,250.
He was also disqualified for a period of 10 years from keeping, owning or participating in the keeping of animals, being party to an arrangement under which animals are kept, and from transporting or arranging the transport of all animals.
A deprivation order was also granted.
Custodial sentence
David Reid (57), of Tannaghlane Road, Tannaghlane, Caledon, received a four-month custodial sentence, suspended for two years, in respect of the five welfare charges.
He also received a two-month custodial sentence, suspended for two years, in relation to animal carcase charge, and a further two-month custodial sentence, suspended for two years, in relation to the medicine records charge.
All suspended sentences are to run concurrently.
An offender levy of £15 was also applied.
Complaint
According to DAERA its initial welfare inspections had been prompted following a complaint from a member of the public, who alerted officials about animals being kept in “poor conditions”.
It said “multiple welfare inspections” were carried out between October 23, 2023 and May 21, 2024.
During these inspections, cattle were found to be housed in “unsuitable conditions with no dry lying area.”
Several lame and severely lame cattle were found.
Fifteen animals had been observed to be lame or severely lame on multiple visits, some had been receiving treatment but in the opinion of the veterinary officer they were showing no signs of improvement and were euthanised to prevent further unnecessary suffering.
Dead cattle in various states of decomposition were also found.
Reid was asked to present his veterinary medicine records on several occasions, but he failed to do so.