A farmer from North Cornwall has been given a suspended prison sentence after he admitted to a string of animal welfare offences.
Kevin Hutchings of Pattacott Farm Camping and Glamping site, Maxworthy, Launceston, was also ordered to pay more than £6,000 in fines and banned from keeping pigs, geese and sheep for six years.
The 53-year-old pleaded guilty to:
- Not housing geese in contravention of last winter’s poultry housing order;
- Allowing geese to have access to scrap and broken glass;
- Failing to provide pigs clean water, dry bedding and allowing access to sharp injurious objects;
- Failing to provide emaciated sheep prompt effective treatment or giving them good quality feed;
- Failing to provide baby piglets clean dry bedding;
- Keeping sheep without adequate grazing and having access to collapsed fencing.
Cornwall Council’s animal health team and vets from the Animal Plant and Health Agency (APHA) visited the farm in January and February 2023 and found “appalling conditions”, Cornwall Council said.
Failing to provide ‘adequate care’
Kevin Hill prosecuted for Cornwall Council and told the court that Hutchings had failed to provide geese, sheep and pigs with “adequate care”.
Most pigs had no clean water or dry bedding, the roof of one building had collapsed leaving rain to soak the pigs bedding, Cornwall Council said.
The council said geese had access to broken glass and scrap and were not housed as required by last winter’s housing order.
The officers found emaciated sheep, one of which collapsed during examination. The council said it had no muscle or fat covering on its back or pelvis.
The sheep was condition score zero and emaciated to the point of death and this sheep later died. Two other emaciated sheep were nursed back to health by Hutchings.
One pen of newly born piglets had dirty water and wet and faeces coated bedding. The piglets were huddled together to stay warm and were all shivering due to the cold.
The council said their mother’s feed trough was broken and had jagged sharp edges, which could have injured the piglets or sow.
‘Financial strain’
Chris Spencer, representing Hutchings, said that he was under extreme financial strain and that last winter he had attempted to trade his way out of debt, but that this had resulted in him overstocking the farm so not all animals had food.
Since the officers visits Hutchings had taken steps to improve the conditions on the farm, he said, and he had sold some sheep and pigs.
DJ Smith said that he considered in all the matters that Hutchings had high culpability and the harm caused to the emaciated sheep was serious.
The matter was aggravated by Hutchings previous conviction, the number of animals affected and his aggression shown towards the inspectors, he said.
He noted that the Cornwall farmer had taken steps to remedy the animal welfare situation on his farm.
Hutchings was given a custodial sentence of four weeks for the bird flu housing breach, six weeks for the failures to safeguard the welfare of his sheep, geese and pigs and given 18 weeks custody for the long term neglect of his emaciated sheep.
Given a total of 22 weeks, Hutchings’ sentence was suspended for 18 months. He was also ordered to pay a £200 fine, a £154 surcharge and the council’s costs of £6,123.
Mr Hutchings was also banned from keeping pigs, sheep and geese for 6 years, this was suspended for 56 days to allow for disposal of the animals.
Hutchings was warned that any reoffending in the next 18 months would activate the suspended sentence in full.
‘Incompetent actions’
Cllr Martyn Alvey said this case “clearly demonstrates” that Cornwall Council will take action to ensure that animal welfare standards are met in the farming industry.
“This sentence sends a clear message that it is not acceptable to cut corners in the care for animals. Mr Hutchings has been held accountable for his own incompetent actions.”
Cornwall Council’s lead of public protection, Stuart Benson, said: “Cornwall Council officers work to assist farmers, small holders and businesses across Cornwall in complying with the relevant legislation.
“However, where officers find serious non-compliance, the council will take formal action to protect the reputation of the vast majority of the Cornish farming industry”.
