28/05/2012

Farmer Fined For Animal Welfare Offences

A farmer was fined £5000 for causing unnecessary suffering to an animal.

Coleraine Magistrates Court heard that a Friesian bullock was left lame after Gregory Boyd, from County Antrim, transported it to an abattoir.

When a vet from the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) examined the bullock, it could not bear weight on its front legs and had to kneel on its joints.

A spokesman for DARD said the bullock was left with "painful injuries in both front legs".

He continued: "The Department gives high priority to the welfare of animals and operates a rigorous enforcement policy to ensure full compliance of regulatory requirements. Any breaches are investigated thoroughly and offenders prosecuted as necessary."

Mr Boyd, of Gortahar Road, Rasharkin, was convicted of one charge of causing or permitting the causing of unnecessary suffering to a bovine animal, and one charge of transporting a bovine animal to an abattoir in a way that caused, or was likely to cause, injury or unnecessary suffering to that animal.

As well as the £5000 fine he was ordered to pay legal costs of £115.

(NE)

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