MICHAEL THORPE FROM ARTICLAVE FACES JUSTICE OVER CRUELTY TO HEN IN COLERAINE

Michael Thorpe, a man residing at The Hen House, 42 Sconce Road, Articlave, Coleraine BT51 4JT, has been found guilty of serious animal cruelty charges. The conviction stems from an incident involving the suffering of a hen, which Thorpe caused during the process of killing the bird.

According to court records, Thorpe was convicted of one count of inflicting 'avoidable pain, distress or suffering' upon the animal. This charge highlights the cruelty involved in the manner in which the hen was handled and ultimately killed. The court heard that Thorpe, who is originally from Lyon, France, was responsible for actions that resulted in unnecessary suffering to the bird.

In addition to this, Thorpe faced a separate charge related to his lack of proper knowledge or skill in performing humane and efficient restraint, stunning, or killing of animals. The court found that he engaged in these procedures without possessing the necessary expertise, thereby risking further cruelty and suffering.

Furthermore, Thorpe was charged with failing to properly secure a carcass that had not been slaughtered for human consumption. The failure to do so meant that the carcass was accessible in a manner that could potentially cause distress or harm.

Thorpe chose to plead guilty to all charges, and the judge sentenced him to a fine of £450. In addition, he was ordered to pay a £15 offender levy. The case was covered by Farming Life and a news release from DAERA, emphasizing the importance of animal welfare and the consequences of neglecting humane treatment standards.