ANTHONY CURTIS FROM LYDNEY BANNED FOR LIFE AFTER HORRIFIC ANIMAL ABUSE CASE

Anthony Curtis, a resident of Kerrin Farm in Kerrin Lane, Lydney, Gloucestershire, has been found guilty of a series of severe animal welfare violations. The case, brought forward by Gloucestershire County Council’s trading standards service, revealed the extent of neglect and cruelty inflicted upon various farm animals under Curtis’s care.

In a court hearing, Curtis pleaded guilty to a total of 25 offences related to the mistreatment of livestock. As a result, he was handed a lifetime ban on keeping any animals, a penalty that will come into effect from January 2021. This period allows Curtis to undertake necessary health checks on his cattle, including testing for tuberculosis, and to transfer ownership of his animals properly.

The investigation into Curtis’s farm, Kerrin Farm, uncovered appalling conditions that shocked even seasoned inspectors. The officers’ first visit in February 2019 was prompted by reports of animals being kept in deplorable states and improper disposal of carcasses. During this visit, they observed approximately 30 ducks living in cold, damp, and filthy conditions, with carcasses of around 60 other birds scattered around the farm. On a subsequent inspection, officers found the ducks being fed stale bread containing lumps of plastic, highlighting the neglect and potential health hazards.

Further findings detailed the widespread neglect of other livestock. Cattle were found confined in a field strewn with broken gates and timber with protruding nails, posing a serious risk of injury. Pigs, cattle, and ducks were all deprived of basic necessities such as water and dry, comfortable resting areas. The cattle were living in deep, liquid slurry and mud, forced to wade through the filth to reach their feed, which consisted of mouldy hay. The hen houses had not been cleaned for an extended period, with hens feeding from dirty troughs and laying eggs in soiled nesting boxes. Additionally, officers discovered the carcass of a calf that had not been properly covered, further evidencing the neglect.

Anthony Curtis attempted to justify his actions by claiming that his poor health prevented him from properly caring for his animals. However, the authorities found this explanation insufficient given the evidence of ongoing neglect. The Animal and Plant Health Agency intervened to rehome a number of ducks and poultry, confirming that Curtis had failed in his duty of care.

The court sentenced Curtis to a conditional discharge and ordered him to pay £185 towards costs. Most significantly, Curtis was permanently banned from keeping livestock, a measure aimed at preventing further cruelty and ensuring animal welfare standards are upheld in the future.

This case underscores the importance of animal welfare enforcement and the serious consequences faced by those who neglect their responsibilities as animal owners. The authorities continue to monitor and take action against such cases to protect vulnerable animals and maintain public trust in local farming standards.