Wiltshire Council has announced the sentencing of local farmer, Daniel Hayward, who received a 10 month imprisonment, suspended for 12 months, after pleading guilty to animal welfare offences in Swindon Crown Court, yesterday, January 20.
33-year-old, Daniel Hayward of Bratton, was charged with 21 offences between April 2023 and February 2024, relating to the care of sheep, livestock recording requirements and the incorrect disposal of carcasses, following an investigation by Wiltshire Council.
In addition to his suspended sentence, Hayward was also banned from keeping all animals bar cattle, cats and dogs for 5 years and must complete 250 hours of unpaid work. The court also ordered Hayward to pay £3600 costs and a victim surcharge.
According to Wiltshire Council, officers from the Animal Health and Welfare team visited the farmer’s property in April 2023, where they found approximately 30 sheep, including ewes with young lambs, deprived of access to drinking water.
On a separate visit by the team, multiple decaying sheep carcasses were found strewn in and around buildings used by Hayward.
Further inspections carried out by the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), between April and May 2023, found six sheep to be in such poor condition that they required immediate euthanasia, while others were in need of immediate veterinary treatment.
Representatives from Wiltshire Council’s Animal Health and Welfare team, told the court that Hayward continued to store carcasses incorrectly while under investigation, allowing other animals access to the the dead animals, with the stench of decay causing a nuisance locally.
Wiltshire Council also reportedly discovered that he was continuing to commit serious animal welfare offences, with five further sheep requiring immediate euthanasia during a revisit from officers and an APHA vet.
He was also charged with failing to comply with legal requirements relating to recording and reporting movements of sheep used to ensure traceability of his flock.
In addition to this, he had failed to notify the Secretary of State that he was keeping sheep on land at Worton and Great Cheverell and did not provide officers with copies of his animal movement and animal medicine records when required.
Cabinet member for environment, Cllr Dominic Muns, said: “I want to thank our dedicated team of Animal Health and Welfare officers who do all that they can to enforce legislation designed to help protect animal health and welfare across Wiltshire.
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This shocking case shows that we will use our powers to prosecute those who are found to be neglecting or acting cruelly towards livestock in our county.
“It also highlights the importance of record keeping, with the details being used when necessary to help prevent and contain disease.
If anyone has concerns related to the health and welfare of livestock they can contact the animal health team
.”
