Mr Mervyn Hunter, Legnacash Road, Kildress, Cookstown, Co Tyrone, was sentenced at Dungannon Magistrates' Court on 8 February 2010 in respect of one charge under the Welfare of Animals Act (Northern Ireland) 1972, two charges under the Welfare of Farmed Animals Regulations (NI) 2000 and one charge under the Animal By-Products Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003. Mr Hunter had previously been convicted of these charges on 14 December 2009.
Mr Hunter received a 10 year ban from keeping livestock and was fined £400 plus £19 costs. He was also given two months imprisonment suspended for two years.
Notes to editors:
- Mr Hunter was convicted of one charge, of caused or procured, or being the owner of, permitted the causing of unnecessary suffering to an animal contrary to section 13(g) of the Welfare of Animals (Northern Ireland) Act 1972.
- Mr Hunter was convicted of one charge, of failing to dispose of Category 1 material namely bovine carcases as defined in Article 4(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1774/2002, without undue delay, as required by Article 4(2) of the said Regulation, contrary to Regulation 4(1) of the of the Animal By-Products Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003.
- Mr Hunter was convicted of one charge, of without lawful excuse, failing to comply with the provisions of paragraph 8 of Schedule 4 of the Welfare of Farmed Animals Regulations (NI) 2000, in that he failed to provide clean housing and pens to prevent build up of disease carrying organisms contrary to Regulation 13 of the said Regulations and Section 2 of the Welfare of animals Act (NI) 1972.
- Mr Hunter was convicted of one charge, of without lawful excuse failed to comply with the provisions of schedule 1 of the Welfare of Farmed Animals Regulations (NI) 2000 in that he failed to provide a wholesome diet to satisfy the nutritional needs of calves, contrary to Regulation 13 of the said regulations and Section 2 of the Welfare of Animals Act (NI) 1972.
- The Department gives high priority to the welfare of animals and operates a rigorous enforcement policy to ensure full compliance of regulatory requirements. Any breaches are investigated thoroughly and offenders prosecuted as necessary.
- All media enquiries to DARD Press Office, Tel: 028 9052 4619. Out of office hours please contact the duty press officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
