A Staffordshire livestock owner has been sentenced after serious and prolonged animal welfare failings were found involving a herd of almost 100 cattle at a farm in the county.
Jennifer Bennett, aged 30, of Brookside View, Hodge Lane, Birchcross, Uttoxeter, appeared before Newcastle Magistrates’ Court today (Thursday 30 July). She was sentenced to a 14-week suspended jail sentence, 12 months of community service, £1,000 in costs plus a £154 victim surcharge, and has been disqualified from keeping animals for ten years.
The case followed an unannounced inspection by Staffordshire County Council's Trading Standards Animal Health Team at Brookside View, Hodge Lane, on 25 March last year.
Officers found multiple cattle in extremely poor condition, including numerous dead animals and other emaciated animals unable to stand. They also found cattle without adequate access to feed or water and calves housed in dirty conditions.
Nearly 100 cattle were removed from the farm to prevent further suffering. Many received extensive veterinary treatment, however, some in such poor health had to be put down.
District Judge O’Connor told the court:
“Jennifer Bennett is the person responsible for the welfare of the animals as the legal owner and there was a significant period of neglect which led to disease and death.”
Anthony Screen, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Resilience at Staffordshire County Council, said:
“This is another incredibly distressing animal welfare case our Trading Standards officers have had to deal with.
“The suffering uncovered in this case was significant and required immediate action to protect the animals involved.
“We take animal welfare extremely seriously and will not hesitate to pursue robust enforcement action where standards fall below the law.”
The investigation also uncovered suspected offences relating to cattle identification and animal by-products legislation.
Ms Bennett’s father, Alan Bennett, who had day-to-day responsibility for the care of the cattle, is due to be sentenced separately at Stafford Crown Court.
