Essex Trading Standards has successfully prosecuted a man who caused unnecessary suffering to pigs in his care.
When Essex Trading Standards animal health officers visited the smallholding of Jason Ovenden of St Osyth, Clacton, in August 2021 they found six severely emaciated pigs which a DEFRA vet confirmed needed to be euthanised to prevent any further suffering.
The remaining 11 pigs on the premises had also been denied access to fresh drinking water, bedding or sufficient food. They were all malnourished, and several were suffering from skin irritations and exposed to other hazards.
An improvement notice was issued for failure to provide a suitable diet and failure to protect the pigs from pain, suffering and injury.
At Chelmsford Magistrates Court on 12 January 2023, Ovenden was sentenced to a 35-week suspended prison term, ordered to complete 100 hours of community payback work, banned from keeping livestock for five years and ordered to pay £5,000 costs and a £128 victim surcharge.
Speaking after the sentencing, Cllr Graham Butland, Essex County Council Cabinet Member responsible for Essex Trading Standards, said: “The welfare of all animals is of the utmost importance to myself and the officers of Essex Trading Standards and I highly commend the hard work of officers during this investigation.
“This case reflects our commitment to work with all partners to achieve successful prosecutions for all those who cause unnecessary suffering to animals.”
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