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| Issued By North Yorkshire County Council |
|
| Issued By North Yorkshire County Council |
SHEEP
FARMER FINED
A NORTH Yorkshire farmer has been
convicted and fined by Harrogate Magistrates Court of 28 charges relating to the
keeping of sheep.
The charges against Mr Benjamin Harold Gray of
Upper Austby Farm, Langbar, Ilkley followed a complaint about sheep carcasses
and welfare problems on Langbar Moor. Officers from North Yorkshire County
Council's trading standards service visited Langbar Moor three times between the
3 February 2000 and 10 February 2000.
Magistrates at Harrogate were told, during a
two-day trial, that 17 sheep had died from starvation. Two live sheep were found
to be suffering from a lack of adequate nutrition.
Examinations of the live sheep, the carcasses and
also post mortem results showed that they had all suffered as a result of
inadequate nutrition and appropriate care. The sheep were also suffering from a
disease known as sheep scab and most were found to be broken mouthed - a common
term used for sheep that do not have a full set of teeth. Despite their
condition preventing them from eating the course grasses and rushes found on the
moorland, they were not offered any other alternative feed.
The Magistrates found Mr Gray guilty of 28 out of
34 charges. The 28 charges related to: seven charges of failing to dispose of
carcases; 17 charges of causing unnecessary suffering to sheep by failure to
provide adequate nutrition and appropriate care; two charges of causing
unnecessary pain and distress to sheep; and two charges of failing to treat
sheep which had visible signs of sheep scab.
Mr Gray was fined £4,550 plus £2,500 costs.
Magistrates heard evidence from experts that, in
winter, broken mouthed ewes should not be put out on moorland where there is no
supplementary feed (such as hay, silage or concentrates) provided.
31-01-02
Stuart Pudney or Kath McEwan on 01609 766405