JOHN PRITCHARD FROM SHAFTESBURY CAUSES SUFFERING TO CALVES DURING TRANSPORT TO WILTSHIRE SLAUGHTERHOUSE

John Pritchard, a livestock haulier from Enham Green near Shaftesbury, was found guilty in connection with causing unnecessary suffering to a group of young calves during their transportation to a slaughterhouse. The incident took place during a two-hour journey from a farm located in Sherborne, Dorset, to an abattoir in Wiltshire.

During the journey, Pritchard was responsible for managing a double-deck livestock trailer that was intended to carry sheep. However, the trailer was not suitable for transporting calves on both decks simultaneously, as the lower deck lacked sufficient headroom for the young animals to stand comfortably. This design flaw became evident upon arrival at the slaughterhouse, when a staff member immediately noticed injuries on the calves. Specifically, injuries were observed on the backs of the animals on the lower deck, where they had bumped against the roof supports of the upper deck during transit.

Many of the calves had suffered injuries as a result of stumbling and falling while descending the trailer's ramp, which was notably steeper than standard safety regulations allowed. Some of these injuries were significant, measuring up to 10 centimeters in length, and post-mortem examinations revealed deep bruising on the carcasses. An official veterinarian at the slaughterhouse examined the animals and confirmed that the injuries and suffering inflicted were unnecessary and avoidable.

Further evidence presented in court included CCTV footage showing the unloading process. The footage clearly demonstrated that the ramp used for the upper deck was far too steep for calves to navigate safely. The maximum permissible ramp angle for such transport is 20 degrees, yet Pritchard’s ramp exceeded this limit, measuring over 40 degrees. The footage depicted calves stumbling and falling as they attempted to walk down the ramp, highlighting the unsafe conditions.

Legal experts explained that, to comply with animal welfare laws and ensure safe transport, Pritchard should have only used the lower deck of the trailer, folding away the upper deck. This approach would have necessitated two separate journeys to the slaughterhouse, but it would have significantly reduced the risk of injury and suffering to the calves. Instead, it was concluded that Pritchard prioritized profit over animal welfare, risking harm to the animals for financial gain.

The prosecution was initiated by Dorset Council, following a thorough investigation conducted by its Trading Standards team. The court ultimately sentenced Pritchard to an 18-month conditional discharge, along with prosecution costs amounting to £6,495 and a court surcharge of £22. The case received coverage from the Daily Echo and ITV News, highlighting the importance of animal welfare and legal compliance in livestock transportation.