Farmer jailed over dead livestock

Dead animals were found on Arfon Jones's farm

A farmer who admitted animal cruelty charges for the second time this year has been jailed for 15 months.

Dead cattle and sheep were discovered on the farm of Arfon Jones, 73, of Bryncir, Garndolbenmaen, Gwynedd.

He pleaded guilty at Caernarfon Crown Court to 12 animal welfare charges and breaching an eight-month suspended sentence for similar offences.

Gwynedd council said the case was one of the worst it had seen and was trying to seize his 300 sheep and 30 cattle.

In March this year, Jones was banned indefinitely from keeping cattle, sheep and pigs after admitting 13 charges relating to his livestock.

At that hearing Jones given until July to dispose of his animals, then 80 cattle and 400 sheep.

More than 30 carcasses of cattle and sheep were found on Jones's farm

The sentencing on Monday heard Gwynedd Trading Standards officers visited the defendant's farm in April this year and discovered a number of sheep and cattle carcasses on the land in various degrees of decomposition.

One cow had been become stuck in mud and had obviously been there for several days trying to free itself before eventually dying.

Jones pleaded guilty to two specimen charges of causing unnecessary suffering to animals, six charges of failing to dispose of a carcass, and four charges of failing to send cattle passports to the authorities. He also asked for 12 further offences to be taken into consideration.

He also admitted breaching the suspended sentence imposed at the March hearing and resisting arrest and assaulting an RSPCA officer.

Caroline Harris, defending, told the court that a combination of ill health, financial problems, and pride had contributed to the situation.

She claimed Mr Jones's inability to speak English fluently had been a factor, because the office that dealt with the management of livestock was now in Reading.

The carcasses were found in various states of decomposition

Sentencing Jones, Judge Merfyn Hughes said the defendant had shown little genuine remorse, and was clearly unable to comply with the required standards of animal husbandry.

He said: "It's clear that you have persuaded yourself that the authorities are pursuing a personal vendetta against you. Nothing could be further from the truth."

Jones is expected to serve half his sentence in prison.

Dilys Phillips, Head of the Administration and Public Protection Service for Gwynedd Council, who has responsibility for Trading Standards said further visits were made to Jones's farm after April to monitor the condition of his stock.

She said: "The council became so concerned about the condition of the stock, and the lack of action on the part of Mr Jones, that they arranged for supplementary feed to be provided, for the carcases to be cleared from the land and for the sheep flock to be treated for infestation."