IFAN AND ELIZABETH EVANS FROM LLANDYSUL FACE JUSTICE OVER HORRIFIC ANIMAL WELFARE OFFENCES

In a case that has shocked the local community of Llandysul and raised serious concerns about animal welfare standards, livestock and dog breeders Ifan Dafydd Gerallt Evans and Elizabeth Eirianna Evans, both residents of Arthach, Blaencelyn, were brought before the court to answer for a series of grave allegations related to the treatment of animals on their farm.

Born around 1947 and 1948 respectively, the couple, trading under the names IDGE and EE Evans, pleaded guilty to a total of eleven charges concerning the neglect and mistreatment of dogs, cattle, and sheep. These charges encompassed violations of animal welfare laws, improper handling of animal by-products, and breaches of regulations concerning bovine tuberculosis. Despite their guilty pleas, seven additional charges, which they contested, were dismissed by the court.

The case unfolded against the backdrop of ongoing efforts by Ceredigion County Council to improve standards at the Evans' livestock and dog breeding operation. The council had been working collaboratively with the breeders to bring their practices up to acceptable standards. However, the establishment was no longer licensed for dog breeding due to persistent failures to meet the minimum required standards, which had led to the revocation of their license.

In November 2019, a routine visit by veterinarians and animal health officers to the Evans' dog breeding facility uncovered numerous issues that raised serious concerns about the welfare of the animals involved. During this inspection, Mrs. Elizabeth Evans admitted to causing unnecessary suffering to a pug dog by neglecting to seek veterinary treatment for an eye condition that was left untreated. She also pleaded guilty to the suffering inflicted on two spaniels, which were deprived of proper environmental enrichment and mental stimulation.

Video footage played during the court proceedings vividly depicted the distressing behavior of the dogs, showing them pacing in repetitive circles—a stereotypical sign of psychological distress caused by poor living conditions. The veterinarian concluded that the environment provided was bland and inadequate, directly contributing to the dogs' mental suffering.

The court also examined evidence concerning the poor husbandry practices observed on the farm, particularly relating to the cattle. Mr. Ifan Evans admitted to failing to meet the animals' basic needs, including the gross overcrowding of cattle sheds. An inspection by the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) in February 2019, prompted by a complaint, revealed that the cattle were kept in conditions that severely compromised their welfare. The cattle pens were so overcrowded that the animals lacked sufficient space to lie down comfortably, and there was intense competition for food and water.

Further inspection findings showed cattle with heavily soiled coats, coated in slurry and muck, indicating they had been exposed to these unsanitary conditions for an extended period. One particular pen housed a mother cow and her newborn calf in similarly deplorable conditions, with bedding soaked in manure and the animals housed alongside adult cattle, creating a risk of injury to the vulnerable calf.

Mr. Evans pleaded guilty to these charges, acknowledging that he failed to provide the animals with appropriate care and environment as required by good practice. Additionally, a sheep with a broken leg, which had remained untreated since July 2018, was discovered on the farm. The sheep was subsequently euthanized to prevent further suffering, with Mr. Evans admitting responsibility for causing unnecessary pain to this animal.

Another serious issue involved the improper disposal of animal by-products. The authorities found four sheep carcasses in various stages of decomposition scattered across the fields during their February 2019 visit. The pair also admitted to failing to comply with a notice issued by the APHA, which mandated the separation and isolation of inconclusive tuberculosis (TB) reactors to prevent the disease's spread. During a subsequent inspection in March 2019, the authorities discovered that the cows identified as TB reactors had not been segregated as instructed.

In sentencing, the court considered the fact that the Evans had no prior history of animal welfare violations, which influenced the judge's decision. The couple was fined a total of £7,336, which covered legal costs and other expenses. Importantly, no disqualification order was imposed, as the dog breeding operation had already been shut down, and the couple had taken steps to reduce the number of animals on the farm. The court was assured that further improvements and changes would continue to be implemented to prevent such neglect from recurring.

This case underscores the importance of animal welfare enforcement and the ongoing need for vigilance in livestock and pet care practices in the Llandysul area and beyond.