United Kingom-Farmer in court on sheep charges.
UNITED KINGDOM-FARMER FINED 4000 POUNDS.
A Farmer who left 17 rotting sheep and lamb carcasses on his land so he could bait and shoot stray dogs and foxes was fined £4,000 yesterday.
Thomas Christopher Dawson admitted five specimen charges of failing to collect the animals without undue delay at his County Durham farm.
Bishop Auckland magistrates were told Dawson, 59, rented the 450-acre 1,200-sheep farm, near Ferryhill, and ran it almost single-handed.
Gill Proud, prosecuting, said it was not an animal welfare issue as such and that some fatalities were to be expected.
However, she said left carcasses left in fields posed a risk of disease to other animals and could eventually contaminate the water supply.
The court was told Dawson received two written warnings in April and May last year concerning carcasses that were visible from 100 yards.
In interview, he said he had a problem with stray dogs and foxes killing sheep and he was trying to control it.
Mrs Proud said Dawson used the carcasses to bait foxes so they could be shot and as decoys hoping the live animals would be left in peace.
"He was advised that the practice was illegal and told not to do it again," said Mrs Proud.
Simon Catterall, for Dawson, of Nunstanton East Farm, said the offences and warning letters dated from last year’s lambing season.
He said the married fatherof- three was, like many farmers, struggling to make ends meet and that it was an especially busy period.
"In previous generations they used to employ people to help, but there are no longer people who want that kind of work and there isn’t the money to pay them," said Mr Catterall.
"Supermarkets are constantly driving down prices animals are worth and, at the other end, you have the rising costs of feeds and medicines and all the other expenses."
Bench chairwoman Pauline Parkins said she sympathised with the defendant’s plight, but that the bench could not overlook the health risk.
Dawson was also ordered to pay £513 costs.