WILFRED AND IAN FRANCIS SHOCKING CATTLE ABUSE IN ROSSETT, WREXHAM

Wilfred Francis, born around 1981, and his brother Ian Martin Francis, born approximately in 1983, both residents of Yr Ackery Farm on Dark Lane in Burton, Rossett, Wrexham LL12 0AE, faced serious allegations and subsequent convictions related to the neglect and mistreatment of cattle on their farm.

In 2019, the brothers were found guilty of multiple violations under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, a legislation designed to protect animals from cruelty and neglect. Their case came to light after a distressing incident prompted an unannounced inspection by Wrexham Council officials.

On February 5, 2019, authorities responded to a complaint involving a dog consuming a deceased calf on the farm. This complaint triggered a visit by the Food and Farming team, accompanied by an Animal & Plant Health Agency (APHA) veterinarian. What they discovered was deeply troubling: numerous dead cattle and calves, animals kept with little or no bedding, and some with no access to food or water. The inspection revealed hazardous objects scattered around the farm, posing additional risks to the animals.

Ian Dillon, representing Wrexham Council, provided a detailed account to the court, describing the appalling conditions. He stated, “Two dead cattle were being pecked at by chickens. One had been unlawfully killed by Wilfred Francis through the injection of an anaesthetic.” Dillon further explained that one cow had to be euthanized because it was left without medication after suffering a broken hip during calving two weeks prior.

He emphasized the neglect, saying, “There were other cows with no access to water or food, some kept near scrap metal that could have caused them harm, and a general failure to maintain cleanliness to prevent flies and disease.” The officers also found waste food products, including mince pies, cupcakes, and ice cream, being fed to the cattle, which is highly inappropriate and dangerous. Several animals were found lying in slurry, a condition that highlights the severity of neglect.

Photographic evidence taken during the inspections depicted animals living in deplorable conditions. The officers continued to monitor the farm with subsequent visits, revealing further distressing scenes. Mr. Dillon recounted that one calf was drowning in slurry, while another, born just the night before, had minimal bedding soaked with slurry. The mother cow, exhausted from calving, was deprived of food and water. On a later visit in March 2019, a newborn calf was observed barely able to keep its nose above the slurry, underscoring the ongoing neglect.

Although conditions showed some improvement over time, the authorities deemed it necessary to intervene further. In May 2019, the council moved to seize the remaining animals to prevent further suffering. The herd was reduced from approximately 140 cattle to just 40, a measure aimed at safeguarding the animals’ welfare.

In sentencing, the brothers received a 16-week prison sentence, which was suspended for 12 months. They were also ordered to pay costs of £3,000 each to Wrexham County Council, payable at a minimum rate of £50 per month. Importantly, the court did not impose any restrictions on their ability to keep animals in the future, indicating that the legal proceedings focused primarily on the past neglect rather than ongoing bans.

This case highlights the serious issues of animal cruelty and neglect that can occur on farms, and the importance of vigilant enforcement of animal welfare laws to prevent such suffering.