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Farmer jailed after 'shocking' animal cruelty

Daera Very thin black and white cow in a barn with a lot of muck presentDaera
Multiple inspections were carried out at the premises

The sentencing of a farmer in a "shocking case" sends a clear message to those who neglect animals, the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Daera) has said.

Maurice Rainey, 62, of Church Road in Randalstown, was given a 20-month sentence with half to be spent in jail and half under supervised licence conditions, at Antrim Crown Court on Friday.

He faced six charges of causing unnecessary suffering to cattle and another charge relating to a carcass.

Rainey was also disqualified from keeping or owning animals for 10 years.

Warning: This article contains an image some people may find distressing

Daera Two cows lying on the ground, one draped over the otherDaera
A Daera spokesperson said it was a "distressing case for the local inspectors"

The case arose following a complaint of two carcasses in a field at the junction of Church Road and Clonkeen Road, according to Daera.

Daera staff carried out multiple inspections between 7 March 2024 and 24 April 2024.

During these inspections, they found animals in need of veterinary attention and multiple carcasses.

Six animals were euthanised by the Daera vet present, as in their opinion the animals were "suffering unnecessarily".

"This was a shocking case of animal neglect and animal suffering. It was also a distressing case for the local inspectors, vets and enforcement officers who had to attend the farm," a Daera spokesperson added.