A Tyrone farmer today (Monday, March 10) received a six-month sentence, suspended for two years and an eight-year ban from keeping or working with animals, in relation to a number of animal welfare offences.
Ian Boyd, (56), of Pomeroy Road, Dungannon, Co. Tyrone, was also fined £500, with an additional £15 offender levy.
The verdict was handed down in Dungannon Court in Co. Tyrone.
Boyd was convicted in relation to six offences under the Welfare of Animals Act 2011 and two charges under the Animal By-Products (Enforcement) Regulations Act 2015.
This included:
- Four charges of failure to ensure the needs of animals were met;
- Two charges of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal;
- One charge of failure to comply with an animal by-product requirement;
- One charge of failure to dispose of an animal carcass.
Suspended sentence
Boyd pleaded guilty and received six months imprisonment suspended for two years on the unnecessary suffering charges and was disqualified from keeping, owning, participating in keeping animals, being party to an arrangement under which animals are kept, from transporting and arranging transport of all animals for eight years.
He also received three months imprisonment suspended for two years for the failure to ensure the needs of animals were met and the disposal of animal carcase charges.
A member of the public had initially made a complaint and the case was then brought to the attention of the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) whose officers undertook inspections.
DAERA officers visited premises between February 7, 2023 and August 30, 2023, during which they observed a number of animals in poor condition, including some that were ill or injured, as well as not having sufficient access to feed or water.
The department said that due to the severity of the animal suffering discovered on the farm, two animals were euthanised by the veterinary officer present following one visit, and a decaying carcass was discovered on another visit, which was incorrectly disposed of.
DAERA today stated that it gives high priority to the welfare of animals and operates a vigorous enforcement policy to ensure full compliance of regulatory requirements.
It also confirmed that “any breaches are investigated thoroughly and offenders prosecuted as necessary”.
