SUTTON-IN-ASHFIELD FARMER JAILED FOR NEGLECTING 450 ANIMALS
A farm owner has been jailed and banned from keeping animals for life after more than 450 neglected animals were rescued by the RSPCA.Lee Hayes was sentenced to 12 months in prison following a court hearing where harrowing evidence of "deliberate and sustained" neglect across Croftfield Farm in Dawgates Lane, Skegby, near Sutton-in-Ashfield was presented.
The RSPCA reported that dogs, horses, livestock, exotic breeds, and small pets were found in extremely poor health conditions during one of its largest investigations.
Several animals had to be euthanized.
Hayes, aged 52, pleaded guilty to 25 offences under the Animal Welfare Act in Mansfield Magistrates’ Court.
District Judge Grace Leong described the conditions as "abhorrent" and highlighted that the animals were living in unsanitary, overcrowded environments with dogs in feces and urine, goats with overgrown hooves, horses suffering from thrush, and cats with fleas and flu.
She stated, “A lot of this could easily have been prevented, but you wantonly neglected hundreds of animals of a wide range of species." Hayes' girlfriend, Tammy Heath, 33, of Moorland Close, Skegby, admitted to two animal welfare offences and received a 13-week prison sentence suspended for 12 months and a five-year ban from keeping dogs.
Concerns about neglect initially arose after a missing dogs’ charity investigated claims about a stolen dog in 2023.
Nottinghamshire Police visited the farm and uncovered animals in dire conditions, including a tethered German shepherd dog struggling to walk and a cocker spaniel requiring surgery.
The farm's donkeys and horses suffering from unaddressed rotting feet, underweight animals, and those untreated for parasites and dental issues were also found.
Over 40 dogs were found confined in kennels inside a dark barn.
Hayes claimed circumstances had "all got a little out of hand," but the judge noted he had ignored prior warnings to improve animal welfare.
RSPCA Inspector Baker led the raid and described the conditions as "absolutely appalling," with the overwhelming smell of manure and a large number of animals suffering.
The court ordered Hayes to pay costs of £664,650, which will be recovered via the High Court.
