Dorset farmer banned from keeping sheep after causing unnecessary suffering
A farmer from Blandford has been banned from keeping sheep for five years after being found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to his animals.
Phillip Peter Penfold, 37, of Droop near Blandford was sentenced to 12 weeks imprisonment, suspended for two years at Weymouth Magistrates Court. He was given a Community Order to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work and ordered to pay costs of £1,000.
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Phillip Penfold has been banned from keeping sheep for five years
Mr Penfold was found guilty of 16 offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 of causing unnecessary suffering to sheep at East Luccombe Farm, Milton Abbas.
He was also found guilty of four offences under the Welfare of Farmed Animal Regulations 2007 for failing to provide sufficient food, veterinary treatment and suitable bedding for his animals. Mr Penfold was banned from keeping sheep for five years.
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Between May and August 2011, Trading Standards officers and a veterinary officer from the Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency (AHVLA) visited the farm. The court heard that sheep were found in an emancipated condition due to a lack of food and some kept in barns with no clean dry area, and deep in mud and excrement. Several sheep had infected feet, which had not been treated.
Simply Sheep Ltd, Mr Penfold's company has since ceased trading and all of the livestock have been sold.
Mr Penfold's stepfather Stephen Mark John Broom, 56, of Higher Cowley Farm, Barstable was also sentenced to a Community Order of 150 hours unpaid work and to pay £1,000 in prosecution costs.
The court heard that during Mr Penfold's Absence, Mr Broom failed to treat or get veterinary advice for two sheep with badly infected feet. In a separate charge, the court heard that a lamb was found 'hobbled' with its hind feet tied together. Mr Broom stated that the lamb was tied to prevent it escaping from its pen and 'to teach it a lesson.'
Ivan Hancock, Trading Standards Manager for Dorset County Council, said: "We are always keen to help and advise farmers who encounter problems in caring for their animals.
"In this case, despite that advice, conditions on the farm deteriorated and the treatment of these animals was unacceptable. Livestock were suffering and legal action against those responsible was entirely appropriate."
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