Robert Lloyd - a Sir Gar Blog of random news . . . and some Clecs!

An Amman Valley farmer has been given a suspended prison sentence and ordered to pay more than £12,000 costs for neglecting her sheep and causing them suffering. Carmarthen Magistrates Court was told that a Carmarthenshire County Council animal welfare officer first visited Valerie Bowen’s property, Blaengrenig Farm in Grenig Road, Glanamman, back in November 2010. Some welfare issues were found and advice and guidance was provided. Mrs Bowen complied with the advice so the matter was dealt with in that way. During the same period in 2011, after responding to a complaint, some of the sheep were found to be infected with sheep scab. Notices under the sheep scab order were served and again the notices and advice was acted upon. Then in early 2012 further complaint were received and the conditions were found to be totally unacceptable and enforcement action was undertaken from that point after Mrs Bowen failed to act upon comprehensive advice given. Sheep carcasses were found in fields, r...

An Ammanford man has been fined £220 for leaving cattle without water and at risk of injuring themselves. Daniel Fawcett, of Blaengweche, Llandyfan, pleaded guilty at Carmarthen Magistrates Court to two offences under the  Welfare of Farmed Animals (Wales) Regulations 2007. The court was told that last year between May 15 and June 16 that being a person responsible for farmed animals he failed to take all reasonable steps to ensure that accommodation and fittings for securing animals was maintained so that there were no sharp edges or protrusions likely to cause injury to them. During the same period Fawcett also failed to take all reasonable steps to ensure that the cattle had access to a suitable water supply. The court heard that a vet and animal health officer visited the farm on November 12, 2010, after a welfare complaint and told Fawcett to improve conditions. Some improvements were made but issues still remained. On December 1, 2010, the vet and animal health officer visite...

More than 20 sheep were found dead on a Laugharne farm and others found in a poor condition, Carmarthen magistrates have been told. An Animal Health Officer from Carmarthenshire County Council along with a Veterinary Officer from Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency visited Honey Corse Farm, Broadway, Laugharne, in September 2011 following a complaint regarding the condition of sheep there. They found about 25 sheep carcasses in various states of decomposition. Several of the live sheep were in poor condition and found to be infested with maggots and one was in such a poor condition it was humanely destroyed at the time to prevent any further suffering. The remaining sheep were treated and improved and later sold. Robert Glen Davies, of Woodlands Close, Llanmiloe, Pendine, the owner of the sheep at Honey Corse Farm, appeared before Carmarthen Magistrates Court for sentence after pleading guilty at an earlier hearing to nine offences under Section 4 and 9 of the Animal Welf...