A Monmouthshire farmer was fined £2000, with £3000 costs, last week for causing unnecessary suffering to two cows in 2008.
Mike Carver pleaded guilty at Abergavenny Magistrates Court to committing the offences at Plas Ivor farm, Cross Ash.
The case against Mr Carver was brought by Monmouthshire County Council Trading Standards officers.
The animals were discovered when council officers visited the farm in October 2008. The cows were weak and lethargic with severe muscle wastage. Both animals were killed by lethal injection on the advice of a DEFRA vet because they were in such a poor condition. Subsequent post mortems revealed that the animals had severe worm burden and one had chronic pleurisy.
Councillor Eric Saxon, member with responsibility for animal health, said that such treatment of animals was unacceptable:
“These animals were found in appalling condition and cruelty of this kind is shocking.
“This should be a reminder to the farming community of the need to ensure the proper care of their livestock.”
