A man who caused unnecessary harm to his chickens by leaving them outside in the ‘freezing cold’ has been banned from keeping livestock for 10 years.

Richard Thomas Hansford, aged 67 of St Alban Street, Weymouth appeared at Weymouth Magistrates Court on Monday, September 17.

He pleaded guilty to four charges of breaching the Animal Welfare Act 2006 by causing unnecessary suffering to protected animals, namely his four chickens.

Hansford failed to meet regulations and protect the chickens from adverse weather conditions or shelter them from predators. He also failed to provide them with a suitable water supply.

Neil Martin, Principle Trading Standards Officer at Dorset County Council, attended the sentencing and explained how Hansford wouldn’t listen to previous advice encouraging him to comply with regulations.

The charges brought against Hansford were in relation to an incident which happened in February at land off Highgate Lane in Lewell.

Mr Martin explained: “The weather at the time was freezing cold and they found the chickens in a muddy pen with no shelter. There were a number of buckets at the site which contained water, but this was frozen due to the temperature.”

 

The chickens were not being kept in satisfactory conditions, and the animals were seized, he said.

According to Mr Martin, Hansford's excuse was that the weather was bad. Mr Martin explained: "The weather was bad, which is why the animals required shelter.

“He’s continued to fail to meet standards, so we have brought this matter before the court.”

Hansford, who was unrepresented, claimed he ‘did his best’ to look after the animals and that he ‘loved them.’

He explained that in the last three years he has suffered from mental health issues, including depression.

The Chairman of the Bench, Ian Humphreys said: “I have listened very carefully to what had been said.

“The thing that concerns me is the distress that may have been caused to these animals due to their treatment or lack of. Over a period of time you received advice which doesn’t seem to have been adhered to.”

Mr Humphreys handed Hansford a fine of £300 for causing unnecessary suffering to the chickens by failing to provide them with an adequate nesting area.

In relation to his other three charges including failing to protect the chickens from adverse weather conditions, predators, and failing to provide them with a suitable water supply, he was given no further penalty.

As well as this, he had to pay a victim surcharge of £30 and £200 for the case being brought to court.

Under the Animal Welfare Act an order was made to ban Hansford from keeping livestock, particularly pigs and poultry for 10 years.

Mr Humphrey's added that this was because of ‘suffering caused to the chickens.’ The four chickens have since been rehomed.

Councillor Andrew Parry, Cabinet member responsible for Trading Standards said: “The welfare legislation for animals sets out very clearly the acceptable standards that those keeping animals must meet. Any person keeping livestock must be in a position to adhere to these standards at all times. Our officers always try to work with keepers to ensure the standards are met but if this advice is repeatedly ignored we will have no option but to take formal action”.