Animals have been found without drinking water and laying in their own excrement, while others were found dead and decomposing in a shocking case of animal neglect at a farm in Pembrokeshire.
A vet who attended the farm at Highland View Fold, The Ridgeway, Lamphey, raised serious concerns over the poor condition of the animals and that some livestock were emaciated. On several occasions, animal carcasses were found rotting in the fields where other livestock could access them.
Farmer Richard Scarfe, of Park Street, Pembroke Dock, was prosecuted at Haverfordwest Magistrates Court on January 26 by Pembrokeshire County Council after pleading guilty to offences under the Animal Welfare Act, 2006, of causing unnecessary suffering to animals, and failing them in his duty of care. You can read more Pembrokeshire stories here.
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Pembrokeshire County Council's animal health and welfare team began investigating complaints on the land at Highland View Fold in late 2019, offering Scarfe advice on animal husbandry and record keeping.
Scarfe was also offered professional veterinary advice that he was said to have blatantly disregarded.
When visiting, officers noted that animals were without drinking water and feed, and laying in bedding which was heavily soiled without a dry area.
A vet who attended the land raised serious concerns over the poor body condition of the animals and condition scored the livestock from one to two and a half. Body conditions are scored from one (emaciated) to five (obese.)
The land was also heavily poached and the grazing poor due to overstocking, and animal carcasses were seen in varying stages of decomposition in fields where other livestock could access them.
In early 2021, the county council team sought an order under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 to seize and remove livestock from the holding to prevent further suffering.
District Judge Chris James said the animals experienced a "large amount of suffering over a period of time".
There were additional guilty pleas in relation to cattle, sheep and pig identification and animal by-products offences, along with obstructing authorised officers whilst carrying out their duty under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
Summing up, the judge said: "There was high culpability of prolonged neglect motivated by Mr Scarfe. The care provided had been wholly neglectful with levels of incompetence.
"The multiple number of animals in this case seen graphically by photographs are serious. Greater harm has been met and as a result, a number of animals have died. There has been a large amount of suffering over a period of time.
"You were given numerous opportunities to address these issues and failed to comply fully. Only when court enforcement began, you began to take this seriously. The fact that you thought you did your best is not enough. You have not followed advice when you have been under scrutiny."
Mr Scarfe was disqualified from keeping cattle, sheep, pigs, goats and donkeys for a total of five years. In addition, he was given a community service order of 240 hours and a 14-week custodial sentence, suspended for two years. Costs were awarded to Pembrokeshire County Council.
Cllr Cris Tomos, council cabinet member for the environment and Welsh Language, said: "This was a deeply distressing case. Despite being given guidance and support by our animal welfare team, Mr Scarfe demonstrated a complete lack of care towards the animals in his ownership.
He added: "We will always strive to work with livestock owners when we are notified of concerns, but we will always prosecute in cases of neglect. We are satisfied with the judge’s decision."
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