Cornwall farmer starved animals and left them in extreme pain
A cruel farmer has narrowly avoided a prison sentence after starving his animals and leaving them in severe pain. Daniel Mark Hoskin, 35, caused serious suffering to the animals, said the magistrates sentencing him.
Hoskin, of St Anns Chapel, Gunnislake, appeared at Bodmin Magistrates' Court for sentence having admitted a total of eight animal cruelty charges that all occurred during March and April of this year.
Horrified inspectors from Cornwall Council found animals owned by Hoskin in a shocking state. The admitted charges found that Hosking:
- As a keeper of a cattle herd failing to apply both ear tags within 20 days of birthday.
- Didn't provide a suitable diet with sufficient feed to four cattle and five sheep.
- Didn't provide four cattle and five sheep a suitable environment by leaving them access to hazardous objects such as wire and plastic.
- Failed to provide 19 cattle and 38 sheep prompt and effective treatment thus failing to protect them from pain, suffering, injury and disease.
- Didn't provide enough feed and water for 29 cattle and 38 sheep.
- Failed to store or dispose of 21 bovine carcases and nine sheep carcases.
- Didn't notify the secretary of state (Defra) to the death of cattle within seven days and didn't share the ear tag number, the date of death and the holding on which it died.
- Failed to provide prompt and effective treatment for a collapsed ewe.
Sentencing magistrates told Hoskin that his actions caused "serious suffering to the animals". He was given a six-month sentence, suspended for 18 months, and must complete 180 hours of unpaid work. Hoskin must also pay a £154 victim surcharge and court costs of £3,478.21. He was disqualified from keeping farm animals for a period of five years.