TWO Llandysul brothers have been handed suspended jail sentences and banned from keeping animals for five years after admitting to a string of animal welfare charges.

David Davies, aged 60 and Evan Meirion Davies, aged 49, both of Penffynnon Farm, Bangor Teifi, Llandysul, appeared before magistrates at Aberystwyth Justice Centre to plead guilty to 13 charges brought by Ceredigion County Council under the Animal Welfare Act and Animal By-Products (Enforcement) (Wales) Regulations.

Among the charges they admitted were on or before April 16, 2018, causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal, namely four bovines, by failing to provide adequate care; a similar charge relating to seven bulls housed in a shed; causing unnecessary suffering to 26 dead bovines; failing to comply with article 21 of the Community Regulations (EC) in collecting, identifying and transporting the animal by-products without delay, namely the carcasses found on the farm.

Both men were sentenced to 16 weeks in prison suspended for 12 months, along with costs of £1,500 each and a £115 victim surcharge.

The pair were also disqualified from keeping any animals of any description for five years. The brothers were allowed 28 days in which to make the necessary arrangements.

The case followed an investigation by Ceredigion County Council animal health officers.

The prosecution followed a visit by animal health officers and an Animal and Plant Health Agency vet to the farm in April 2018. Officers found 58 cattle carcasses in various states of decay in the cattle sheds and surrounding fields.

The remaining cattle were housed in terrible conditions, with no food, water or dry lying area.

The vet confirmed that the cattle were being caused unnecessary suffering, and also formed the opinion that the dead cattle had also succumbed to the horrendous conditions found in the sheds and died of neglect.

The vet had to put down two cattle to stop further suffering during visits to the premises. This was the worst case of animal welfare neglect seen to date by the animal health team of Ceredigion County Council.

The cabinet member responsible for public protection, Cllr Gareth Lloyd said, “This was a truly shocking case of neglect that caused terrible suffering to so many animals. We will not hesitate to act decisively whenever we need to protect animal welfare.

“This was an extreme case, and in no way reflects on the dedication of the overwhelming majority of Ceredigion farmers in maintaining the highest standards of care for their animals.”