A FARMER whose poor treatment of his animals led to them being put down has received a mammoth financial penalty.

At a sentencing hearing at Caernarfon Magistrates Court on 25 May, Richard Japheth, of Glanllyn, Llanaelhaearn, received a 12-month community order to complete 120 hours of unpaid work, along with fines and prosecution costs totalling £15,085.

Mr Japheth had earlier pleaded guilty to four offences involving animal welfare, failure to dispose of sheep carcasses and failing to report animal births and deaths.

One offence related to Mr Japheth failing to look after one of his cows and it was said that the animal needed to be protected from “pain, suffering, injury and disease”.

The farmer also failed to dispose of the remains of dead sheep and two offences under Cattle Identification (Wales) Regulations 2007.

The investigation came about as a result of inspections by the RSPCA relating to cattle which had to be euthanised due to their poor state of health.

Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) vets and animal health officers from the Trading Standards Unit visited the farm on several occasions between January and May 2016.

Gareth Edwards, veterinary lead (Wales) said: “It’s vital that farmers seek appropriate advice as soon as possible if issues arise”.

Andrew Broadbent, RSPCA inspector, added: “RSPCA Cymru worked closely with Gwynedd Council and the APHA on this investigation, which acts as an example of the importance of partnership working to improve animal welfare.

“Protecting and promoting the welfare of farm animals on the frontline is a hugely important part of our work.

“Clearly, individuals have very important and clear legal obligations in looking after their animals, and the treatment of the cattle in this case was hugely inappropriate and caused them to suffer unnecessarily.”

Carys Parry, defending, said her client had done all he could but the wet weather of December 2015 restricted his ability to reach his stricken animals.

She pointed out Japheth had co-operated fully with officials in their investigation and had accepted their recommendations.

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