A farmer was banned from keeping livestock for three years by a judge at Swansea Crown Court last Friday.
Iwan Ward, together with his father Nicholas Ward, had previously pleaded guilty at Haverfordwest Magistrates Court to a number of charges in connection with the poor management of cattle at Maes-y-coed, Hermon, near Crymych.
Their offences included failing to dispose of 24 carcasses properly and failing to keep herd records, whereas Iwan Ward had caused unnecessary suffering to one cow and failed in his duty of care to the others that had died.
Inspectors from Pembrokeshire County Council’s Animal Welfare team had gone to the farm in early March to investigate a complaint of a dead cow but went on to discover 24 decomposing carcasses strewn across the fields.
More than half the herd had died, and one dead cow was found with the feet of her unborn calf protruding.
His Honour Judge Hughes QC, after hearing the facts and assessing reports, sentenced Iwan Ward to 180 hours community service, with a three year ban on keeping farmed livestock and £1,250 costs.
Nicholas Ward received a 120 hours community service order and £1,250 costs against him.
