Two farmers, a father and son combination, __have been convicted and fined for animal movement offences in Northern Ireland.
Samuel James McCreery and David McCreery, both of Inishmore Road, Lisbellaw, Enniskillen , Co. Fermanagh were both convicted at Enniskillen Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, March 1.
The farmers were convicted of one charge each of failing to notify the movement of one bovine animal onto a holding and one charge each of failing to notify the movements of seven cattle off a holding.
Both men were also fined £400 (€446) and received a 12-month conditional discharge, as well as an additional fine of £46 (€54) for other costs.
This case arose, following a cattle identification inspection of the McCreerys’ herds by Officers from Veterinary Service Enforcement Branch on September 30, 2015.
Sheep Farmer Banned from Keeping Animals
A sheep farmer in Co. Antrim was banned from owning animals and fined in £546 (€645) for animal welfare offences recently.
The farmer was convicted at Ballymena Magistrates’ Court on one charge of causing unnecessary suffering to four sheep.
Sarah Jane Watson, who is 23-years-old, from Ballynease Road, Portglenone, Ballymena, was also convicted on one charge of failing to ensure the needs of a sheep were met to the extent of good practice.
Watson was disqualified from owning, keeping or participating in keeping animals. This also includes being party to an arrangement, under which that person is entitled to control or influence the way in which animals are kept.
She is also banned from transporting and from arranging transport of animals. The disqualification is set to last for a total of seven years.
This case arose from a welfare complaint received by Coleraine Veterinary Office, according to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs.
A welfare inspection was carried out by Veterinary Service Enforcement Branch, during which a Veterinary Officer had to attend and euthanize four sheep that were found to be suffering.
