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Cruelty farmer given animal ban | Cruelty farmer given animal ban |
(10 minutes later) | |
A Kent farmer has been banned from keeping animals for five years for causing unnecessary suffering to cattle and poultry at his farm in Halstead. | A Kent farmer has been banned from keeping animals for five years for causing unnecessary suffering to cattle and poultry at his farm in Halstead. |
Craig Sargent, 46, was also fined £12,000 and ordered to pay £20,289 in costs by Sevenoaks magistrates. | Craig Sargent, 46, was also fined £12,000 and ordered to pay £20,289 in costs by Sevenoaks magistrates. |
The RSPCA found a bull at Oaks Farm with hoofs so overgrown they "looked like Turkish slippers". Other cows were living in up to 3ft (90cm) of slurry. | The RSPCA found a bull at Oaks Farm with hoofs so overgrown they "looked like Turkish slippers". Other cows were living in up to 3ft (90cm) of slurry. |
The fine, costs and disqualification were suspended pending an appeal. | The fine, costs and disqualification were suspended pending an appeal. |
The court had heard Sargent also had a chicken shed containing birds so badly feather-pecked their backs were bleeding. | The court had heard Sargent also had a chicken shed containing birds so badly feather-pecked their backs were bleeding. |
Water troughs for pigs, cattle and sheep were dry except for one, which contained a pea-green liquid at the bottom. | Water troughs for pigs, cattle and sheep were dry except for one, which contained a pea-green liquid at the bottom. |
He chose to ignore advice and these are the consequences Ch Insp Steve Dockery | He chose to ignore advice and these are the consequences Ch Insp Steve Dockery |
Sargent, who lives rent-free with his parents in Clarks Lane, Halstead, was described as a man of limited means who spent just £20 a week on living expenses. | Sargent, who lives rent-free with his parents in Clarks Lane, Halstead, was described as a man of limited means who spent just £20 a week on living expenses. |
His smallholding and butcher's shop in south London barely broke even, the court was told. | His smallholding and butcher's shop in south London barely broke even, the court was told. |
During mitigations, Dickon Reid said: "There was no wilful mistreating of these animals. The offences are very much at the lower end of causing unnecessary suffering." | |
He said Sargent and his family had been "ostracised" by their community and there had been a drop in business and added that the ban would "absolutely floor him". | |
'Guidance' given | |
Sargent, who has been a farmer for more than 20 years, was found guilty of three counts of causing unnecessary suffering to the bull, cattle and poultry. | Sargent, who has been a farmer for more than 20 years, was found guilty of three counts of causing unnecessary suffering to the bull, cattle and poultry. |
He was also found guilty of failing to ensure cattle had dry bedding and failing to provide fresh drinking water to cattle, pigs and sheep. | He was also found guilty of failing to ensure cattle had dry bedding and failing to provide fresh drinking water to cattle, pigs and sheep. |
The 46-year-old was cleared of causing unnecessary suffering to a pregnant cow, whose hooves were allegedly overgrown. | |
The five-year ban covers sheep, pigs, poultry and cattle. | The five-year ban covers sheep, pigs, poultry and cattle. |
After the hearing Ch Insp Steve Dockery, from the Kent RSPCA, said: "Mr Sargent had much advice and guidance regarding the care of the livestock in his control but unfortunately he chose to ignore advice and these are the consequences." | After the hearing Ch Insp Steve Dockery, from the Kent RSPCA, said: "Mr Sargent had much advice and guidance regarding the care of the livestock in his control but unfortunately he chose to ignore advice and these are the consequences." |