EDMUND KANE FROM RINGWOOD SENT TO JAIL FOR CRUELTY TO CATTLE IN SQUALID CONDITIONS

Farmer Edmund Kane, a resident of North End Farm on Harbridge Green in Ringwood, was convicted and sentenced for causing unnecessary suffering to a herd of 170 cattle. The case, heard by Southampton magistrates, revealed that Kane had neglected his animals over an extended period, leaving them in deplorable conditions that included filth, lack of water, and inadequate bedding.

According to court records, Kane, who has been involved in farming for two decades, pleaded guilty to 13 charges related to animal cruelty. These charges encompassed causing unnecessary suffering to protected animals, failing to provide suitable environments for his cattle, and neglecting his responsibilities under bovine care regulations. The magistrates' presiding officer, District Judge Peter Greenfield, described Kane’s actions as inflicting “enormous suffering” on the animals, likening the conditions to a “vision of hell.”

Prosecutor John Pullen, representing Hampshire County Council’s Trading Standards, detailed the findings of multiple inspections carried out at Kane’s Ringwood farm in March 2017. Over several visits, inspectors and a veterinarian observed the cattle in a state of severe neglect. The animals were found without access to water or proper bedding, and many were too weak to stand. Pullen explained that the first inspection occurred on March 3, following a complaint received on March 2. During this visit, the inspectors discovered emaciated cows living in squalid, filthy surroundings, which caused them unnecessary suffering.

Tragically, the neglect resulted in the death of at least two cows, with one having to be euthanized. Before a subsequent visit on March 7, another calf had died. When inspectors returned on March 30, nearly a month later, the conditions had not improved. They found that more than 45 cows were living in environments where they risked injury from sharp instruments, and some had no access to water. Additionally, over 100 cows lacked a dry area to allow their udder tissue to recover between milking sessions, further highlighting the neglect.

Defense solicitor Neil Hinton attempted to mitigate Kane’s actions by arguing that animal loss is common on dairy farms and that Kane was under financial strain. Hinton stated that Kane was responsible for caring for his 85-year-old mother and managing the farm largely on his own. He also pointed out that a report from May indicated improvements had been made, suggesting the situation was a temporary lapse rather than a persistent problem.

However, District Judge Greenfield was unpersuaded, emphasizing that Kane had been aware of the poor conditions for at least four weeks without taking any corrective action. The judge condemned the failure to provide water, calling it “inexcusable,” and noted that the last time the farm was deemed suitable was in autumn 2016. The neglect had persisted for at least three months.

As a result of his conviction, Kane was sentenced to 12 weeks in jail. He was also ordered to pay costs amounting to £5,655. Furthermore, he was disqualified from farming, as well as from keeping or transporting animals, for a period of three years. This disqualification expired in October 2020, but the court’s decision underscores the severity of the cruelty inflicted upon the animals at his Ringwood farm.