Transporter convicted at Omagh Court

Stephen McDowell (55) of Old Moy Road, Dungannon was today convicted at Omagh Court on one charge of transporting an animal not fit for the journey.

Mr McDowell was convicted and fined £1000 plus £15 offender levy.

The case arose when a DAERA Official Veterinarian (OV) at an abattoir examined an animal delivered by Mr McDowell on the 9 May 2022. In the professional opinion of the OV the animal was unfit for transport. The animal had two swollen stifles, a wound on its right hind leg, showed obvious signs of discomfort and was unable to walk normally.

Notes to editors: 

1. Mr McDowell was convicted on one charge of, transporting an animal namely a bovine which was not fit for the journey, contrary to Regulations 5(1)(a) of the Welfare of Animals (Transport) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 and Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2005.
2. 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.
3. The Welfare of Animals (Transport) Regulations (NI) 2006 also requires that animals must be fit to travel and must be cared for if they fall ill or are injured during transport. The animals must be accompanied by competent persons and must be transported to their destinations without undue delay. All those who have animals in their care either on farm, in transit or at slaughter have a duty of care to look after that animals’ welfare.
4. All media queries should be directed to the DAERA Press Office: pressoffice.group@daera-ni.gov.uk or telephone: 028 9016 3460.
5. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media enquiries only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.
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