Farmer sentenced at Dungannon Court
Date published:
Ian Boyd, (56), of Pomeroy Road, Dungannon was convicted today at Dungannon Court of six charges in relation to offences under the Welfare of Animals Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 and two charges under the Animal By-Products (Enforcement) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015.
Mr Boyd was convicted on:
- four charges of failure, to ensure the needs of an animals were met.
- two charges of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal
- one charge of failure to comply with an animal by-product requirement: and
- one charge of failure to dispose of an animal carcase.
Mr 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 and was fined £500 plus £15 offender levy. 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.
The case was brought to the attention of DAERA following a complaint from a member of the public. DAERA officers visited the premises on numerous occasions between 7 February 2023 and 30 August 2023. During these inspections, the officers noted that animals were in poor condition, and some animals were ill or injured, as well as not having sufficient feed or water.
Two animals were euthanised by the DAERA veterinary officer present as, in his veterinary opinion, they were suffering unnecessarily. The officer also discovered the decayed carcass of one bovine animal, which was not disposed properly, as required by the animal by-product regulations.
Notes to editors:
- Mr Boyd was convicted of four 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 Boyd was convicted of two charges of, by reason of an act or failure to act by him caused unnecessary suffering to a bovine animal 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 Boyd was convicted of one charge of failure to comply with an animal by-product requirement in that he failed to hold bodies or part of bodies of farmed animals which had not been slaughtered for 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 would not have access to it or them, in contravention of Regulation 19 of the Animal By-Products (Enforcement) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015.
- Mr Boyd was convicted of one charge of failure to comply with an animal by-product requirement in that he failed to collect, identify and transport animal by-products without undue delay under conditions which prevented risks arising to public and animal health, in contravention of Article 21 or the EC Regulation No 1069/2009, 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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