A judge has banned a Northern Ireland farmer from keeping animals after a welfare investigation led to 19 calves being euthanised.

Ian Wilson of Ballydermot Lane, Bellaghy was sentenced today (Thursday, June 25) at Ballymena Court on ten charges under the Welfare of Animals Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 and one charge under the Animal By-Products (Enforcement) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015.

The 55-year-old was convicted of three charges of causing unnecessary suffering to bovines.

He was also convicted of seven charges of failure to ensure the needs of an animal were met to the extent required by good practice and one charge of failure to dispose of a carcass.

Farmer

The case arose, following a complaint made to Ballymena Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) Direct Office.

DAERA staff from the local office and the Welfare and Enforcement Branch carried out multiple inspections on the premises.

Some of the animals had insufficient food and water and several animal carcasses were found.

The court was told that 19 calves were euthanised as they were suffering unnecessarily.

Ban

Wilson was disqualified from owning animals, keeping farmed animals, participating in keeping animals, being party to an arrangement under which he is entitled to control or influence the way in which animals are kept.

He was also banned from dealing in animals, from transporting and arranging the transport of animals for life.

In addition, he received an 8-month custodial sentence suspended for 3 years on the unnecessary suffering charges.

He was handed a three-month custodial sentence suspended for 3 years on the good practice charges and a two-month custodial sentence suspended for 3 years on the carcase disposal charge.

The judge ordered that all suspended sentences are to run concurrently.

Animal welfare

In a statement following the case, DAERA said: "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.

It would be good practice (as well as being a legal requirement), to remove without delay an animal carcase from a farm to prevent spread of disease and protect public health and avoid detrimental effects on the environment".