TOBY HOLLAND FROM BLAENPORTH SENTENCED FOR CRUELTY TO ANIMALS AT MAENGWYN FARM IN CEREDIGION

Toby William Holland, born in October 1971 and residing at Maengwyn, Maengwyn, Blaenporth, Cardigan, Ceridigion SA43 2AS, was convicted in 2021 of multiple offences related to the prolonged mistreatment and neglect of animals on his farm. Holland, a company director with a prior conviction for assault, faced serious allegations concerning the welfare of animals under his care, which culminated in a court trial held in February 2020.

During the proceedings, it was revealed that animal welfare officers from Ceredigion Council had previously visited Holland’s farm, operated as Maengwyn Farm Ltd, a limited company that was dissolved in December 2023. The officers documented numerous instances of neglect and cruelty. One of the most disturbing findings was a sheep lying on its back, unable to move, which officers observed had been in that state for some time. Despite their advice to seek veterinary assistance, Holland failed to act. When officers returned the following day, January 30, 2019, they discovered that no treatment had been sought, and the sheep had been left to die.

Further inspections uncovered a barn housing 19 pigs, all of whom were found to be in a state of distress. The pigs were described as “shrieking for food,” and officers noted that they were extremely thin, kept in conditions filled with muck, with no dry area for resting. Inside the barn, the officers also found two dead pigs. Post-mortem examinations indicated that at least one of the deceased pigs likely died from starvation. A veterinarian who examined the animals concluded that both the living and deceased pigs had been subjected to unnecessary suffering.

In addition to the issues with the pigs, officers discovered several sheep carcasses scattered across the fields surrounding the farm. These carcasses were accessible to the sheep that were still alive, raising concerns about ongoing neglect. A follow-up visit four months later revealed further violations: pigs were kept in a field where they had access to plastic bags containing metal sheeting with sharp edges, as well as animal bones and skulls, indicating continued poor conditions and potential hazards.

Following the court proceedings, authorities issued a warrant for Holland’s arrest. He was subsequently detained by police in December 2020. On January 6, 2021, Holland was found guilty in his absence of a total of ten charges related to animal welfare violations and offences involving animal by-products. The court sentenced him to 18 weeks in prison, ordered him to pay £750 in costs, and imposed a two-year ban on keeping any animals, which expired in January 2023.

These findings highlight the severe neglect and cruelty inflicted upon the animals at Maengwyn Farm in Blaenporth, and the legal actions taken serve as a reminder of the importance of animal welfare enforcement in the region.