A farmer from Bringsty has been jailed for 32 weeks and had his 10 year ban from keeping livestock increased to a lifetime ban.
51-year-old Charles Parry of Ashminton Farm appeared at Hereford Magistrates Court last Thursday.
He was found guilty of breaching a previous 10 year disqualification order imposed on him in November 2019, six new animal welfare offences, and two animal by-products offences .
After a three day hearing Parry was sentenced to 32 weeks imprisonment with immediate effect, a victim surcharge of £122, £5000 towards costs and his disqualification from keeping all animals, except his dog, was increased from 10 years to lifetime.
After being tipped off, Animal Health officers found a calf collapsed in thigh deep mud with muddy water running out of its nostrils. An Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) veterinary inspector concluded that the calf was suffering and beyond any veterinary help, meaning it had to be euthanised where it lay.
The veterinary officer stated in court that during 29 years in his role, this had been a particularly extreme, harrowing and distressing experience to deal with.
A further 50 cattle were seized as they were being kept in an unsuitable environment and had an inadequate diet.
Animal Health officers from both Herefordshire and Worcestershire councils along with veterinary officers from the APHA also found a sheep carcass in a decomposed state and over 60 sheep being kept in such a way that they were exposed to pain, suffering and disease.
Although Officers located the cattle passports, Parry denied owning the cattle and sheep and gave names of 2 people who he claimed owned the animals. He went so far as to leave a telephone message with one of the individuals asking them to corroborate his lies.
In a previous case taken by Herefordshire council Mr Parry was disqualified from keeping all animals except his dog for 10 years after allowing livestock, including 50 calves, to suffer and failing to correctly store and dispose of large amounts of deadstock. Parry was required by the court to transfer ownership of all his livestock, which he failed to do.
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