Donington farmer guilty of failing to care for pigs

Donington farmer Mark Haynes was found guilty of eight animal welfare charges relating to the lack of care shown to his pigs.

Mark Haynes (53), of R P Haynes and Sons, Northorpe Road, Donington, was convicted of eight charges relating to the welfare of pigs after a trial at Lincoln Magistrates Court on Friday.

The charges followed an animal welfare investigation by Lincolnshire Trading Standards which ran between May 2015 and February 2016.

Ian Newell, business and public protection manager at Lincolnshire Trading Standards, said: “This was a shocking case and during our investigation, we found that Mr Haynes was keeping pigs in inadequate conditions.

“There were in poorly maintained buildings and there was an inadequate regime for feeding and watering.

“Some pigs also had bad wounds and other ailments that had not been adequately treated and would have caused considerable pain, distress and unnecessary suffering to the animals.

“Despite our officers making attempts to provide support and advice over many months, subsequent visits showed that no improvements had been made.”

Before the investigation started, trading standards officers and officials from the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) made repeated attempts to help Haynes improve the welfare of his pigs.

Despite the guilty verdict, the judge deferred sentencing for six months to allow Mr Haynes improve conditions on his farm.

Mr Newell said: “It is one of Lincolnshire Trading Standards’ main objectives to ensure that livestock within the county is well-treated and not subjected to unnecessary suffering.

“In Mr Haynes’ case, our officers made repeated attempts to provide support and advice over many months.

“However, subsequent visits showed that no improvements had been made which culminated in a visit to the farm on October 20 with an APHA Veterinary Inspector.

“Five pigs were found to be suffering serious wounds, including one with chronic injuries to the hind, leg and chest, whilst another could not bear its weight on its hind legs.

“It was necessary to euthanise them immediately and as this prosecution shows - if you are found to be breaking the rules, we will not hesitate to take action against you.

“Over the next six months, we will be closely monitoring the situation and will offer Mr Haynes further support and advice in a bid to prevent further animals suffering.”