Smallholder’s Shocking Neglect: Animals Found in Dangerous Conditions

A smallholder who kept animals in hazardous and neglectful conditions has been ordered to pay £2,456 in fines and costs following prosecution by Cornwall Council.

Court Hears of Animal Neglect

John Ingham, 63, pleaded guilty to five charges of animal neglect at Plymouth Magistrates’ Court on 6th February 2025. The case followed investigations by Cornwall Council and the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA), which uncovered serious welfare concerns at Ingham’s smallholding in Trebrownbridge, Liskeard.

Officers first visited the site in 2021 and found goats, sheep and pigs in poor condition. The pigs lacked a dry lying area, and the animals had access to hazardous waste, including broken glass. At the time, Cornwall Council provided Ingham with advice, and after making improvements, he was given a formal warning.

However, when officers returned in March 2024, they discovered that conditions had deteriorated significantly.

Animals Exposed to Dangerous Conditions

The court heard that Ingham had failed to provide basic care, leaving his animals without bedding, food and fresh water. He also exposed them to serious hazards, including broken metal with sharp edges, wood with protruding nails and live electric cables.

The charges he pleaded guilty to included:

• Failing to provide goats with clean dry bedding, forage, clean water and effective veterinary treatment, while allowing them access to hazardous objects.
• Failing to provide pigs with clean dry bedding and fresh drinking water.
• Failing to provide sheep with bedding, forage, clean water, and exposing them to dangerous objects.
• Allowing poultry access to hazardous materials.
• Causing unnecessary suffering to two emaciated sheep by failing to provide veterinary care.

Council Takes Action

Ingham was fined £1,040, ordered to pay a surcharge of £416 and contribute £1,000 towards Cornwall Council’s costs.

Jane Tomlinson, a Group Leader for Cornwall Trading Standards, said:

“In 2021 Mr Ingham was given detailed advice and improved the conditions at his smallholding. He was therefore given a warning at that time. However, by the winter of 2024 standards had once again slipped and the animals were being neglected so we brought the case to court.”

Councillor Martyn Alvey, the portfolio holder responsible for enforcement at Cornwall Council, said:

“Where officers find repeated non-compliance or a complete disregard for farm animal welfare, the Council will take formal action to protect animals from cruelty and the reputation of the Cornish farming industry.

“This man kept his animals in appalling conditions and that is totally unacceptable.

“We urge all smallholders to understand the needs of animals before buying them.”

Further Enforcement Possible

Cornwall Council officers will revisit the smallholding to ensure improvements are made. Should Ingham fail to comply, further enforcement action will be taken.