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Last Update: 2 June, 2008 9:38 AM

30 December 2009
MAN FINED ON ANIMAL WELFARE CHARGES

Wales News
Author: Gary Baker

Newport City Council Animal Health Inspectors from the Trading Standards department visited the small holding of Anthony George Hayes, 59, in Marshfield on May 7 2009 and found three pigs inside a disused lorry container with little drinking water.

Two heavy porcelain sinks, which were inside the pen, should have contained water but were empty, with dry mud and faeces inside.

Hayes claimed the pigs had turned the sinks over, spilling the water, though the sinks were upright when the inspectors visited.

However, Abergavenny magistrates dismissed Hayes' evidence in defence of the three charges he faced. He was fined £300, ordered to pay a £300 contribution towards costs and also to pay a £15 victim surcharge.

Hayes escaped a banning order on keeping animals because the magistrates considered the matter to be at the lower level of animal welfare issues. He has since sold the pigs.

Under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 a person commits an offence if he does not take such steps as are reasonable in all the circumstances to ensure that the needs of an animal for which he is responsible are met to the extent required by good practice.

A council spokesperson said: "This case shows the council is serious about animal welfare. The legislation aims to ensure that animals are cared for correctly.

"Anyone responsible for keeping animals must have regard for good animal husbandry at all times."

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