A CLUNDERWEN farmer has been given a suspended prison sentence, after a court heard that the stench of dead animals surrounded his farm.

John Goruffydd Arthur Haffield, 65, was sentenced for a number of charges brought by the RSPCA and Pembrokeshire County Council at Haverfordwest magistrates court on Wednesday, November 29.

He previously pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a Palomino stallion, a mare and a Black Welsh Black Steer at Gower Villa Farm by failing to address the causes of their poor body condition, as the horses were underweight and the steer had difficulty getting up.

He also failed to take steps to make sure that the animals’ needs for a suitable living environment were met and they had a suitable diet.

Haffield also admitted causing unnecessary suffering to 27 Welsh Blacks, failing to keep a number of bovine carcasses in a way which would have prevented birds or animals gaining access to them, and two charges relating to bovine ear tags.

Guilty pleas were also entered to charges of failing to notify of the death of an animal, and failing to maintain an up-to-date cattle register.

Jeff Harries, prosecuting on behalf of Pembrokeshire County Council, told the court that 11 visits were made to the farm following concerns raised by a neighbour, and cattle carcasses were discovered by inspectors.

Other cows were described as being ‘knee deep in slurry’, and there was insufficient feed for the animals. The carcasses were not removed despite several visits, and Haffield stated he was struggling financially to address the situation.

Two dead horses and another dead cow were found on a subsequent visit, and roofing materials removed from a mound of earth revealed further remains wrapped in plastic.

Mr Harries said: “The barn and yard were deep in faeces and slurry.

“There was a very strong smell coming from across the whole area from the dead animals.”

A cow, without easy access to feed or water, was found to have died calving on another visit and the animals were removed from the farm on May 10.

Mr Harries added: “There was a complete absence of animal husbandry and an inability to provide basic care or remove by-products.”

Jon Tarrant, prosecuting on behalf of the RSPCA, told the bench that horses on the farm were in a poor condition, covered in lice and in unsuitable conditions, and two had to be put to sleep.

He added that a cow thought to be dead under a tarpaulin was found to be alive after collapsing two weeks earlier.

Magistrates heard that help and advice offered to Haffield had not been accepted, and he had refused to sign the animals over before they were removed. He had a previous conviction for a similar offence.

Aled Owen, defending, told the court via a welsh interpreter, that the family had raised quality stock for many years with a reputation for a high level of husbandry, and used to compete at national and local shows.

He stated that Haffield was dealing with financial problems plus his wife’s serious mental health issues, and the farm land available had reduced following his parent’s retirement, which meant that the structure was inadequate for the number of animals.

“This is a man who has been battling a situation that he could not contend with.”

Mr Owen added that the farm had been sold and Haffield, who still had significant debts, accepted that his farming career was over and needed to spend his time looking after his wife.

“To deal with a business which was declining and a wife that was very, very ill, something was not going to end well.”

Magistrates sentenced Haffield to 26 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months, with 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

He was ordered to pay a total of £2,415 in costs and charges, at a rate of £5 a week, and banned from keeping any animals for five years.

Speaking after the case, Cllr Pat Davies, Pembrokeshire County Council Cabinet Member for Regulatory Services and Housing, said: “This was a very sad and difficult situation for officers from the council’s Animal Health and Welfare Team, working alongside veterinary colleagues from the Animal and Plant Health Agency and the RSPCA, to deal with.

“Despite numerous visits, and significant time and effort invested over a period of months in attempting to secure essential improvements in the welfare and management of livestock and horses on site, and to ensure the removal of fallen stock, limited progress meant that the Authority was left with no alternative but to seize the animals on welfare grounds, to protect them from further unnecessary suffering, and subsequently to bring these matters before the court.

“The welfare issues, poor compliance with cattle identification and traceability requirements, and disease prevention measures, including the suitable containment and disposal of fallen stock, presented circumstances that were among the worst officers have had to contend with.

“The sentence in this case reflects the serious nature of these breaches which officers had been unable to resolve through guidance and persuasion, and we are satisfied that the ban will in turn serve to prohibit the further acquisition of animals and risk of re-offending.

“While sadly many of the cattle seized during this operation needed to be euthanised, to have left them in a situation where protection from further suffering could not be ensured was not an option.”