
A farmer has been jailed after investigators found evidence of horrific abuse and neglect of dozens of sheep, cows and lambs.
Animal rights activists have applauded the use of a custodial sentence which was handed to Tracy Middleton, the former owner of Little Oakhurst Brissenden farm in Bethersden, Kent.
Middleton’s farm was discovered with animal corpses strewn across her fields which had signs of extreme neglect.
She pleaded guilty to 19 separate charges for her actions and failure to care for animals at the farm. Middleton has been sentenced to 120 days in jail, which is the maximum sentence for the crimes.
‘Suffering’
Starving animals were found at the farm among the dead, and District Judge Justin Barron said Middleton caused a ‘high level of suffering’, according to the Somerset County Gazette.
“I find the suffering was just so serious, only a sentence was appropriate. Not all the animals were well fed – one was starving and was in atrocious conditions,” the judge said at the trial.
“It’s been a long period of negligence; the issues persisted until very recently. No one could look at those pictures and say your animals didn’t experience a high level of suffering.”
Middleton was ordered not to keep animals for ten years and to pay £8,500 in damages.
But she was able to keep her pet dog and cat. “With the exception of the cat and two dogs you currently own – I’m disqualifying you under the Animal Welfare Act from owning animals, participating in the keeping of animals or influencing how they are kept,” the judge explained.
The farm, which housed 130 cows and 150 sheep, came under scrutiny when Kent Animal Defenders launched an investigation.
The group said it had ‘finally got justice’ for the animals at the conclusion of the trial.
Share this story if you think punishments are strict enough for animal abuse?
Lifestyle
Vegan culture, food, beauty & more
What is a vegan shampoo? And 11 fantastic brands to try
- Mohsina Dodhiya
- 27th January 2023
Do you know which ingredients make your shampoo non-vegan? The cosmetic industry has gone through a radical shift in the last few years as more consumers become aware of the impact their purchases make. As a result, the demand for vegan hair care products has soared. Consumers are becoming more conscious of the ingredients in …
Continue reading “What is a vegan shampoo? And 11 fantastic brands to try”
Dietitians claim plant-based diet can stunt growth of infants
- Mohsina Dodhiya
- 18th January 2023
The NHS Start for Life website has added information about vegan and vegetarian babies. Nutritionists and dietitians have raised concerns about the health implications of vegan diets for babies following the publication of the NHS’s vegan infant nutrition guide. The NHS Start for Life website, which provides guidance for new parents, has added a new …
Continue reading “Dietitians claim plant-based diet can stunt growth of infants”
VEGAN MEMES
NEED A LAUGH?
QUIZZES
All the quizzes you love to binge!
QUIZ: If you score 11/12 on this quiz, you’re a verified vegan food expert
- Marlon Farrugia
- 10th January 2020
How much vegan knowledge do you have stored away? Do you have to Google your way through a shopping trip, or do you have all the bad E-numbers memorised? Find out now with this quiz. Marlon Farrugia Marlon Farrugia is a freelance writer from Brighton. He has been a dedicated vegan for many years, and …
Continue reading “QUIZ: If you score 11/12 on this quiz, you’re a verified vegan food expert”
QUIZ: What is your perfect Vegan Halloween Costume?
- Marlon Farrugia
- 13th October 2019
Spook Season approaches. There will be ghosts, goblins, ghouls, and glucose. You need a costume, and you want to it to show off your personality, which means VEGAN. But what to choose? Take our quiz to find out your perfect outfit. Marlon Farrugia Marlon Farrugia is a freelance writer from Brighton. He has been a …
Continue reading “QUIZ: What is your perfect Vegan Halloween Costume?”
QUIZ: What kind of vegetable are you?
- Marlon Farrugia
- 26th September 2019
“If you were a vegetable, what kind would you be?” A question that has tormented humanity throughout the ages – until now. Read: QUIZ: If you score 19/20 on THIS quiz, you’re a Vegan God Marlon Farrugia Marlon Farrugia is a freelance writer from Brighton. He has been a dedicated vegan for many years, and …