Farmer banned from keeping animals after 19 calves euthanised following welfare investigation

Ballymena Magistrates’ Court

A farmer has been banned from owning or keeping animals after a court heard serious animal welfare failings led to 19 calves being euthanised because they were suffering unnecessarily.

Ian Wilson, 55, of Ballydermot Lane, Bellaghy, appeared before Ballymena Magistrates’ Court today where he was sentenced for ten offences under the Welfare of Animals Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 and one offence under the Animal By-Products (Enforcement) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015.

The case followed a complaint made to DAERA’s Ballymena Direct Office, prompting a series of inspections by officials from the local office and the department’s Welfare and Enforcement Branch.

Court imposes wide-ranging ban and suspended prison sentence

Wilson was convicted of:

• Three charges of causing unnecessary suffering to bovine animals.

• Seven charges of failing to ensure the welfare needs of animals were met to the standard required by good practice.

• One charge of failing to properly dispose of an animal carcase.

As part of the sentence, the court disqualified Wilson from:

• Owning animals.

• Keeping farmed animals.

• Participating in the keeping of animals.

• Being party to any arrangement allowing him to control or influence how animals are kept.

• Dealing in animals.

• Transporting animals or arranging their transport for life.

He was also given:

• An eight-month custodial sentence, suspended for three years, for the unnecessary suffering offences.

• A three-month custodial sentence, suspended for three years, for the good practice offences.

• A two-month custodial sentence, suspended for three years, for the carcase disposal offence.

All of the suspended sentences will run concurrently.

Investigation uncovered animals without adequate food and water

The prosecution arose after DAERA received a complaint, leading to multiple inspections of the farm by animal welfare officials.

During those inspections, officers found some animals had insufficient food and water. They also discovered several animal carcases on the premises.

The court heard that 19 calves had to be euthanised because they were suffering unnecessarily.

Department reiterates importance of animal welfare laws

The convictions included three offences under Section 4(1) of the Welfare of Animals Act (Northern Ireland) 2011, relating to causing unnecessary suffering to bovine animals where Wilson knew, or ought reasonably to have known, that his actions or failure to act would cause, or were likely to cause, that suffering.

He was also convicted of seven offences under Section 9(1) of the same legislation for failing to take reasonable steps to ensure the welfare needs of animals under his responsibility were met in accordance with good farming practice.

The additional conviction related to failing to dispose of an animal carcase in accordance with the Animal By-Products (Enforcement) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015, which require dead farm animals to be handled and stored in a way that prevents access by other animals and reduces the risk of disease.

DAERA said it places a high priority on animal welfare and operates a robust enforcement policy to ensure farmers comply with legal standards. The department said suspected breaches are investigated thoroughly and, where appropriate, offenders are prosecuted.

The department also reminded livestock keepers that promptly removing animal carcases from farms is both a legal requirement and good agricultural practice, helping to prevent the spread of disease, protect public health and reduce harm to the environment.