CAERNARFON FARMER FINED FOR ANIMAL CRUELTY AFTER EUTHANISING MULTIPLE ANIMALS
A FARMER from Caernarfon has been fined after numerous animals he was responsible for had to be euthanised.Robert Emlyn Hughes, 70, of Blaen y Garth, was sentenced at Caernarfon Crown Court today (October 3), having admitted failing to prevent the causing of unnecessary suffering to an animal.
He was fined £1,000, and banned from keeping animals, save for one dog which he still owns, for 10 years.
Prosecutor Amy Edwards said that on September 5, 2024, sheep carcasses which had not been properly disposed of, and a lamb with open wounds, were found in Hughes’ garden.
The lamb had to be euthanised, so serious were the injuries it had sustained.
On September 6, dogs were found in Hughes’ van, some of which were tied up, with inadequate food, water or veterinary care.
Following the attendance of an animal health inspector on September 16, animals were removed from Hughes’ care, and several needed euthanising.
A significant number of other animals were seized from Hughes on September 19, with several sheep euthanised due to the extent of their suffering.
Decomposing sheep carcasses had been left uncollected, and were accessible to all other animals.
Follow-up visits from council staff and healthcare professionals revealed that Hughes had been “doing nothing” to address the issues, even after a warning letter had been sent.
Hughes was left with only the one dog in his house in his care, having shown a “deliberate disregard for welfare of the animals” and “ignored warnings from the council and professional advice,” Ms Edwards said.
Representing Hughes, Sam Aynsley described him as a “very vulnerable man” with “complex psychiatric needs”.
Mr Aynsley said Hughes “frankly should have retired from farming several years ago,” having been a “proud, well-regarded farmer” in his community.
He said the offence “could not be more out of character” for Hughes, with members of the farming community having made positive character references on his behalf.
Sentencing, Judge Nicola Jones told Hughes: “It’s clear to me that, at the time of these offences, you were suffering very serious physical and psychological issues.
There were prolonged repeated incidents of neglect.
There was death caused, as the neglect was such that the injuries required euthanising of the animals.
The impact of what you have done is truly terrible, but you know and understand that.”
