Farmer sentenced at Ballymena Court 25/06/26
Date published:
Ian Wilson (55), Hiltonstown Road, Portglenone, Ballymena was sentenced today at Ballymena Court of ten charges under the Welfare of Animals Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 and one charge under the Animal By-Products (Enforcement) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015.
Mr Wilson was convicted on:
- Three charges of causing unnecessary suffering to bovines
- Seven charges of failure to ensure the needs of an animal were met to the extent required by good practice
- One charge of failure to dispose of a carcase
Mr Wilson was disqualified from owning animals, keeping farmed animals, participating in keeping animals, being party to an arrangement under which he is entitled to control or influence the way in which animals are kept, from dealing in animals, from transporting and arranging the transport of animals for life. In addition, he received an 8 month custodial sentence suspended for 3 years on the unnecessary suffering charges, 3 month custodial sentence suspended for 3 years on the good practice charges and 2 month custodial sentence suspended for 3 years on the carcase disposal charge. All suspended sentences are to run concurrently.
The case arose, following a complaint made to Ballymena DAERA Direct Office. DAERA staff from the local office and the Welfare and Enforcement Branch carried out multiple inspections on the premises. Some of the animals had insufficient food and water and several animal carcasses were found. 19 calves were euthanised as they were suffering unnecessarily.
Notes to editors:
- Mr Wilson was convicted of three charges of, by reason of an act or failure by him to act, causing unnecessary suffering to bovine animals and he knew or ought reasonably to have known that the said act or failure to act would have that effect, or was likely to do so, contrary to Section 4 (1) of the Welfare of Animals Act (Northern Ireland) 2011.
- Mr Wilson was convicted of seven charges of failure to take such steps as were reasonable in all the circumstances to ensure the needs of an animal, for which he was responsible, were met to the extent required by good practice, contrary to Section 9(1) of the Welfare of Animals Act (Northern Ireland) 2011.
- Mr Wilson was convicted of one charge of, in contravention of Regulation 6 of the Animals By-Products (Enforcement) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015, failing to hold a body or part of a body of any farmed animal that has not been slaughtered of human consumption, pending consignment or disposal, in accordance with the EU Control Regulation as read with the EU Implementing Regulation, in such a manner as to ensure that any animal or bird will not have access to it, contrary to Regulation 19 of the Animal By-Products (Enforcement) Regulations 2015.
- The Department gives high priority to the welfare of animals and operates a vigorous enforcement policy to ensure full compliance of regulatory requirements. Any breaches are investigated thoroughly, and offenders prosecuted as necessary.
- It would be good practice (as well as being a legal requirement), to remove without delay an animal carcase from a farm to prevent spread of disease and protect public health and avoid detrimental effects on the environment.
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