A north Shropshire calf dealer has been prosecuted by Shropshire Council for breaches of animal welfare and identification charges.
The calf dealer has been fined over £11,000 and banned from owning cattle for five years after he admitted to charges relating to the failure to prevent unnecessary suffering to animals.
Derek Whittall, who previously traded under Oaklands Livestock Centre, while it was in operation, admitted to two charges of being the responsible person for animals when he failed to take steps to prevent an employee from causing unnecessary suffering to calves and one count of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal that he kicked himself.
Shropshire Council had alleged that one of Whittall’s employees repeatedly kicked, pushed and threw calves down a ramp when they were being unloaded.
Whittall also admitted to three charges of removing or replacing cattle ear tags without the permission of the competent authority, in breach of the Cattle Identification Regulations (2007). The offences occurred between November 2020 and February 2021.
He was sentenced to an 18-month community order with requirements to attend 10 rehabilitation days and undertake 200 hours of unpaid work.
He was ordered to pay costs totalling £11,855.34 within 12 months and was charged a victim surcharge of £95.
He was also disqualified from owing, keeping or being party to and arrangement etc. of bovines for five years at Telford Magistrates’ Court on Monday (April 24).
Richard Marshall, a cabinet member of Shropshire Council: “This has been a sensitive but successful prosecution to ensure that farmers employ the highest standards of welfare in their business to protect the food chain and ensure adequate control of disease.
“Shropshire Council’s animal health team strive to support good performing businesses to ensure healthy people and a healthy economy across the county.”
