Farmer & transporter convicted at Dungannon Court
Date published:
A farmer and transporter were convicted at Dungannon Court on 11 March 2024 for causing an animal to be transported that was not fit for the journey and transporting an animal that was not fit for the journey.
Mr Aeneas Carragher (59) of Skerriff Road, Cullyhanna, Newry was convicted of one charge of causing an animal to be transported that was not fit for the journey. Mr Carragher was fined £500 plus £15 offender levy.
Mr Wayne Smyth (35) of Annvale Gardens Keady, Armagh was convicted of one charge of transporting an animal that was not fit for the journey. Mr Smyth was fined £500 plus £15 offender levy.
The case arose 13 February 2023, when a DAERA Official Veterinarian (OV) at an abattoir, examined an animal that was presented by Mr Smyth on behalf of Mr Carragher. The cow was very thin and shivering. A lairage worker attempted to make the cow walk, but the animal immediately fell in the pen. The OV carried out an ante-mortem examination of the recumbent cow. The animal was emaciated with prominent transverse and dorsal spinal processes, and the OV estimated that the animal had a body condition score of “1” or less.
The animal was humanely destroyed, where she lay, to avoid any further suffering.
The OV’s professional opinion was that this cow was too thin and weak to have been transported and was caused unnecessary suffering by this action.
Notes to editors:
- Mr Carragher was convicted of one charge of causing to be transported an animal, namely a bovine, which was not fit for the journey, contrary to Regulations 5(1)(a) of the Welfare of Animals (Transport) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 and Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2005.
- Mr Smyth was convicted of one charge of transporting an animal, namely a bovine, which was not fit for the journey, contrary to Regulations 5(1)(a) of the Welfare of Animals (Transport) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 and Council Regulation (EC) No 1/2005.
- The Department gives high priority to the welfare of animals and operates a vigorous enforcement policy to ensure full compliance of regulatory requirements. Any breaches are investigated thoroughly and offenders prosecuted as necessary.
- The Welfare of Animals (Transport) Regulations (NI) 2006 also requires that animals must be fit to travel and must be cared for if they fall ill or are injured during transport. The animals must be accompanied by competent persons and must be transported to their destinations without undue delay. All those who have animals in their care either on farm, in transit or at slaughter, have a duty of care to look after that animals’ welfare.
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