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200 'suffering' sheep slaughtered 'Suffering' sheep moved off farm
(about 1 hour later)
By Richard Wright BBC NI agriculture correspondentBy Richard Wright BBC NI agriculture correspondent
The USPCA has had to slaughter up to 200 sheep on a south Down farm. The USPCA has said that 20 sheep out of a herd of 200 found in a poor condition on a south Down farm have died.
The organisation was called in by the Department of Agriculture last week, after the animals were found to be in poor conditions and suffering. The organisation was called in by the Department of Agriculture last week, after the animals were found to be suffering.
The farmer who owns them was convicted last month at a court in Newry on animal welfare charges and was awaiting pre-sentencing reports.The farmer who owns them was convicted last month at a court in Newry on animal welfare charges and was awaiting pre-sentencing reports.
The USPCA and Department of Agriculture last week gave the farmer seven days to improve the situation or dispose of the animals through normal channels.The USPCA and Department of Agriculture last week gave the farmer seven days to improve the situation or dispose of the animals through normal channels.
When no action as taken the USPCA was called in to inspect them and take whatever action was necessary to safeguard their welfare.When no action as taken the USPCA was called in to inspect them and take whatever action was necessary to safeguard their welfare.
Its veterinary surgeons found the animals in a poor condition, with the majority too weak to be moved off the farm. Its veterinary surgeons found the animals in a poor condition and were considering destroying most of the animals. However now most will be moved to another farm.
Under the circumstances they deemed slaughter on the farm the most humane solution. The USPCA's David Wilson described it was "a very alarming case".
The USPCA's David Wilson described this as "a very alarming case".
The organisation is used by the Department of Agriculture and other government departments as a specialist on animal welfare issues with statutory powers to intervene.The organisation is used by the Department of Agriculture and other government departments as a specialist on animal welfare issues with statutory powers to intervene.
Mr Wilson said its primary goal was always to safeguard the welfare of animals and minimise suffering, but admitted that under circumstances like this the only solution was often to slaughter the animals humanely. Mr Wilson said its primary goal was always to safeguard the welfare of animals and minimise suffering.
He stressed that before this decision was taken its vets would have considered the alternative of moving the sheep to other farms.
Remedies had been suggested to the farmer a week ago but none of these had been taken up, he added.Remedies had been suggested to the farmer a week ago but none of these had been taken up, he added.
It was because of this lack of action that the USPCA decided to intervene on Wednesday with its vets. It was because of this lack of action, he said, that the USPCA decided to intervene on Wednesday with its vets.