HAYDEN FORTUNE'S HORRIFIC ANIMAL NEGLECT IN WIGGLESWORTH LEADS TO SUSPENDED PRISON SENTENCE

In a disturbing case that has shocked the local community, Hayden Walter Fortune, a resident of Pyethornes Farm in Wigglesworth, near Skipton, was found guilty of severe animal neglect and cruelty. The investigation, carried out by North Yorkshire Trading Standards officers, uncovered a scene of utter neglect and suffering that was described as 'dystopian' by those involved.

In April 2022, a team from North Yorkshire Trading Standards visited Pyethornes Farm following reports and suspicions of animal welfare violations. What they discovered was nothing short of appalling. The farm was riddled with neglect, with cattle and pigs kept in conditions that were both hazardous and inhumane. The animals had no access to adequate food, clean water, or dry bedding, and the environment was overwhelmed with filth and decay.

During the inspection, officers encountered numerous carcasses scattered around the farm, some in advanced stages of decomposition. The total number of carcasses was difficult to determine precisely but was estimated to be over 300. The officers had to navigate over mounds of dead pigs to reach the pens where the surviving animals were kept. These animals were found standing in knee-deep manure, in conditions that posed serious health risks.

Hayden Fortune, who also serves as a councillor with Bolton by Bowland, Gisburn Forest & Sawley Parish Council, faced multiple charges under the Animal Welfare Act. His offences included causing unnecessary suffering to pigs by exposing them to the carcasses of other animals, maintaining flooded pens filled with murky water, and failing to provide dry areas, adequate feed, or drinking water. The cattle were similarly kept in deplorable conditions, with manure buildup making movement difficult and exposing them to carcasses, all while lacking basic necessities.

Furthermore, the farm environment was deemed dangerous due to hazardous materials such as sharp wood and metal, which posed additional risks to the animals' safety.

In court, Fortune pleaded guilty to these offences. On April 18, 2023, he was sentenced to a 12-week prison term, which was suspended for 18 months. He was also ordered to pay £3,000 in compensation and contribute £1,000 towards costs. Additionally, he was disqualified from keeping any livestock for the rest of his life, a measure aimed at preventing further abuse.

This case has garnered significant attention from local authorities and animal welfare organizations, highlighting the importance of rigorous enforcement of animal protection laws and the need for ongoing vigilance in rural farming communities like Wigglesworth.