CONVICTED (2017) | John Yorke, born c. 1956, of 40 Drumlane Road, Maghera BT46 5XE – caused unnecessary suffering to two cows who had to be euthanised Cruel and negligent farmer John Yorke from Maghera, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland Farmer John Yorke pleaded guilty to charges involving animal movement, identity and unnecessary suffering. Yorke failed to notify the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) of cattle movements on to his holding or the birth of three animals, one charge of using an ear tag to identify an animal which had already been used to identify another one and two charges of causing unnecessary suffering to two bovine animals. The court heard the case arose following a cattle identification inspection and a follow-up investigation of John Yorke’s activities by officers from DAERA’s Welfare and Enforcement Branch. In addition to cattle identification and movement irregularities, officers discovered two cows in a field in very poor condition. Both cows were severely emaciated and unable to rise. Birds were pecking at one of the animals. The two cows were euthanised by a veterinary surgeon to prevent further suffering. Sentencing: fined a total of £1,765. Source: Mid-Ulster Mail (article removed)