A farmer from Trowbridge, has been issued with a £4,025 Animal Penalty Notice (APN) after a cow deemed unfit for transport was taken to an abattoir.
Wiltshire Council’s Animal Health and Welfare team investigated the incident after the animal arrived at an abattoir in Bristol on 7 April.
On arrival, the cow was examined by the Official Veterinarian, who observed significant swelling and visible bleeding to the carpal joint of the animal’s right forelimb. The animal was considered unfit for transport and the matter was referred to Wiltshire Council for investigation.
The investigation found that the farmer had sought veterinary advice the day before the journey and provided photographs of the animal to a veterinary surgeon.
Following assessment of the injury, the veterinarian advised that the cow should be euthanised rather than transported because the injury was too severe for treatment.
Despite this advice, the animal was transported to the abattoir the following day.
As a result, officers issued the farmer with a £4,025 Animal Penalty Notice. Under the Animal Penalty Notice scheme, the penalty is reduced by 50% if paid within 14 days.
The farm manager responsible for transporting the animal, who did not gain financially from the offence, also received a formal caution.
Cllr Paul Sample, Cabinet Member for Public Protection, said: “The welfare of animals during transport is a matter that must be taken seriously. Animals that are injured, ill or otherwise unfit to travel can suffer unnecessarily, and those responsible for livestock have a legal duty to ensure they are fit for their intended journey. In this case, veterinary advice was sought and euthanasia was recommended before the journey took place. This advice was ignored and the animal was transported. The enforcement action taken reflects the seriousness of the offence and reinforces the importance of complying with animal welfare legislation”.
The welfare of animals during transport is protected by legislation which prohibits the movement of animals that are injured, ill or otherwise unable to travel without suffering unnecessarily.
Animal Penalty Notices are designed to provide an alternative to prosecution for certain animal health and welfare offences. As an APN does not result in a criminal conviction, and this case was not dealt with through the courts, Wiltshire Council cannot identify the individuals involved.
Anyone responsible for transporting livestock is encouraged to seek veterinary advice where there is any doubt about an animal’s fitness to travel and to follow that advice to prevent unnecessary suffering.
Wiltshire residents with concerns about the health and welfare of livestock can contact Wiltshire Council’s Animal Health team on 0300 456 0100. Further information and advice for farmers and livestock keepers is available at www.wiltshire.gov.uk/trading-standards-farming-advice-support.