Farmers sentenced at Armagh Court on animal welfare charges

Martha Toal, School House Close, Glenanne, Armagh was convicted at Armagh Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday of one charge of failing to dispose of equine carcasses, three charges of causing unnecessary suffering, one charge of failure to provide a wholesome diet, two charges of failing to comply with welfare improvement notices, one charge of failing to provide appropriate care for animals which appear ill, one charge of failure to identify equine animals in accordance with regulations, one charge of failing to attach approved ear tags, one charge of failing to notify movements onto a holding, one charge of failing to produce medicine records when required to do so.

She received five months’ imprisonment on six charges and three months’ imprisonment on three charges, to run concurrently. She was disqualified from keeping all animals for life and DAERA was awarded a deprivation order in respect of nine animals currently in its possession. She was also fined a total of £600 plus £500 DAERA costs and a £25 offender levy.

Michael Ferris, Shillinghill Road, Mowhan, Armagh was also convicted at Armagh Court of one charge of failing to dispose of equine carcasses, two charges of causing unnecessary suffering, one charge of failure to provide a wholesome diet, three charges of failing to comply with welfare improvement notices, one charge of failing to produce veterinary medicine records when required to do so, one charge of failing to identify equidae in accordance with regulations, one charge of failing to notify the deaths or movements of cattle off a holding.

He received five months’ imprisonment on six charges and three months’ imprisonment on two charges, to run concurrently. He was disqualified from keeping all animals for life. DAERA was granted a deprivation order in respect of nine animals currently in its possession. He was also fined a total of £350 plus £500 DAERA costs and a £25 offender levy.

This case arose as a result of an anonymous complaint about the welfare of the animals kept on the premises.