HARROGATE FARMER CHRISTOPHER KENDALL SENTENCED FOR CRUELTY TO SHEEP AND PIGS

In a case that has shocked the local community of Harrogate, Christopher Kendall, a resident of Dene Park, was found guilty of severe animal cruelty and neglect. The charges against him stem from a prolonged period of neglect and mistreatment of numerous farm animals, including sheep and pigs, over the course of at least three months from September to December 2019.

According to court records, Kendall admitted to 18 charges, primarily related to causing unnecessary suffering to the animals under his care. The conditions in which these animals were kept were described as appalling, with many suffering from severe health issues due to neglect. Several sheep had been suffering from chronic infections in their feet, with maggots present, indicating a lack of proper veterinary care and hygiene. Additionally, fifteen sheep were found to be lame and distressed, further highlighting the neglect.

Moreover, the farm housed about half a dozen pigs and six piglets in hazardous conditions. These animals were deprived of adequate fresh drinking water and confined within a building constructed with bent and broken metal sheeting. The pens were similarly unsafe, with metal debris lying on the straw bedding, posing a risk of injury. The neglect extended to the disposal of animal carcasses, as Kendall admitted to failing to promptly collect or dispose of sheep’s remains, thereby creating a potential public health hazard.

In response to these violations, an order was issued under the Animal Welfare Act, which permanently prohibits Kendall from keeping any animals other than dogs. This order was initially suspended until March 12, allowing him time to find alternative arrangements for the remaining animals. The court also handed down a sentence of a 14-week prison term, suspended for two years, along with a financial penalty of £1,033 to cover costs and charges. The ruling underscores the seriousness of animal cruelty and the importance of animal welfare laws in protecting vulnerable creatures from neglect and suffering in the Harrogate area.