HAYDEN FORTUNE'S HORRIFIC ANIMAL NEGLECT IN SKIPTON FARM LEADS TO BAN AND SENTENCE

A serious case of animal neglect has come to light at a farm in Skipton, North Yorkshire, involving Hayden Fortune of Pyethornes Farm, Wigglesworth. An investigation conducted by officers from North Yorkshire Trading Standards uncovered shocking conditions on Fortune’s farm, where animals were found suffering from severe neglect and inhumane treatment.

Last month, Hayden Fortune appeared before York Magistrates’ Court to face charges related to animal health violations. He pleaded guilty to multiple offences under the Animal Welfare Act, which included causing unnecessary suffering to livestock. The court proceedings culminated in a sentencing that took place on Tuesday, April 18.

Fortune was handed a 12-week prison sentence, which was suspended for 18 months, meaning he would not serve time unless he committed further offences within that period. Additionally, he was ordered to pay £3,000 in compensation to cover the costs associated with the case, along with an extra £1,000 towards legal and investigative expenses. The court also disqualified him from keeping any livestock, but this ban was temporarily suspended for 28 days to allow him to make alternative arrangements for the animals currently on his farm.

During the inspection, officers discovered appalling conditions on the farm. Cattle and pigs were found living in environments devoid of basic necessities such as feed, water, or dry bedding. The scene was further compounded by the presence of numerous carcasses scattered around the pens, some in various stages of decay, yet still housing live animals. The North Yorkshire Council reported that due to the extent of the neglect, it was impossible to determine the exact number of carcasses present. To retrieve all the remains, officers would have had to climb over mounds of dead pigs and enter pens where livestock were standing in knee-deep manure, illustrating the severity of the situation.

Estimates suggest that the carcass count exceeded 300, highlighting the scale of the neglect. The farm’s conditions violated multiple provisions of the Animal Welfare Act, including causing unnecessary suffering by exposing pigs to decomposing carcasses, maintaining flooded pens with stagnant, foul water, and failing to provide dry areas, adequate feed, or drinking water. The bovine areas were also found to be heavily contaminated with manure, making movement difficult for the animals and exposing them to the carcasses of others. Furthermore, the environment was deemed hazardous, with sharp wood and metal debris posing additional risks to the animals.

North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for regulatory services, Councillor Greg White, described the scenes at Pyethornes Farm as “dystopian,” emphasizing the extent of neglect and suffering inflicted upon the animals. He condemned Fortune’s failure to meet basic standards of animal care and hygiene, calling it “totally unacceptable.”

White reaffirmed the council’s commitment to animal welfare, stating, “In North Yorkshire, we are serious about maintaining good standards of animal welfare. We will always press for the toughest action against those who fail to meet their legal obligation to properly look after farm animals.” He also welcomed the magistrates’ decision to impose a future ban on Fortune from keeping livestock, underscoring the importance of safeguarding animal welfare in the region.