A farmer has been banned from keeping sheep for life and ordered to pay £1,000 in costs and £5,000 in a compensation order. William (Billy) Edward Hyde, 62, pleaded guilty to nine animal welfare offences at Hereford Magistrates court on Friday, October 14th.

Trading Standards Animal Welfare Officers from Herefordshire Council, accompanied by vets from the Animal Plant Health Agency (DEFRA), visited The Furlongs Farm, Hereford, in February this year. During this visit a number of ewes and lambs were found without water, along with sick sheep that had not received medical treatment and a large number of dead sheep.

Subsequent visits revealed no improvements and further welfare issues were also found. Officers made the decision to seize 218 sheep due to the likelihood of further suffering.

Of the offences, two related to unnecessary suffering, three related to failing to provide a suitable environment, two were in relation to the disposal and storage of the dead animals, one was for failing to keep veterinary medicine records and one was for failing to record cattle movements.

Mr Hyde has been ordered to stop keeping sheep by 15th December 2016.

Councillor David Harlow, cabinet member economy & corporates services, said: “This is a very serious case of animal suffering and the conditions at this farm were deplorable.”