A farmer who neglected his sheep and flouted animal health and welfare rules by transporting them to the abattoir when they were in so much pain they could barely stand, has been handed a 12-month conditional discharge.

Robert Sydney Smith of Oakfield Farm, Newton Lane, Tattenhall , was sentenced at Chester Crown Court on Thursday (November 18) and was also ordered o pay £500 prosecution and statutory court costs after pleading guilty to one animal health offence in a prosecution brought by Cheshire West and Chester Council’s (CWaC)’s Regulatory Services.

The court heard that in March this year, CWaC’s Animal Health team were called by a vet working at Hewitt Abattoir to inspect sheep that had been brought in. Four of them were identified as showing lameness as they were unwilling to stand up and in considerable pain, and the surroundings of their feet were swollen and red.

Ear tags identified that the sheep had been transported to the site by Smith and Trading Standards were then contacted and the animals moved to a separate pen to conduct a full examination where it was later confirmed that the four sheep transported had lesions in their feet, incorrectly trimmed hooves, ulcers and exposure of sensitive soft tissue underneath the sole.

Some sheep were using three legs only and, in the vet’s opinion, the animals had been neglected; suffered unnecessary and avoidable pain; and were not fit to transport to the abattoir.

Had Smith followed the correct procedure to get veterinary assistance for the animals at his own farm this would have incurred a cost.

During the hearing the judge emphasised that the decision to prosecute Smith had been correctly taken and the sentence reflected his previous good character and his current financial situation.

CWaC’s Head of Place Operations, Maria Byrne, said:

“The council will continue to take action against individuals who flout animal health and welfare rules, which are in place to protect livestock and ensure they are kept to the highest of welfare standards.

“The council’s Animal Health team works hard to stop this type of situation from happening and to ensure that farming standards are kept to the highest possible level.”