Sussex pig farmer banned for animal cruelty after pigs resort to starvation and cannibalism

SUSSEX PIG FARMER BANNED FOR ANIMAL CRUELTY AFTER PIGS RESORT TO STARVATION AND CANNIBALISM

A farmer whose pigs were kept in such poor conditions that some of the animals resorted to cannibalism has been prohibited from keeping pigs.

Keith Barnett, aged 60, from Pevensey, East Sussex, pleaded guilty to seven charges of animal cruelty at Hastings magistrates court earlier this month.

The owner of The Happy Pig Company admitted to neglecting his pigs by leaving them without food or water.

Inspectors from the Animal Health Agency and Trading Standards raided Barnett's farm in January, discovering the pigs in dire condition, with many underweight.

Gareth Jones, representing East Sussex County Council, reported that many pigs appeared obviously malnourished and that it was highly unusual for pigs to turn on each other for survival.

Images showed pigs left without adequate food or shelter.

Barnett had rented the smallholding in Pevensey for four years and previously claimed to sell high-quality pork.

Due to health issues, he was unable to care for the animals properly, which led to neglect.

The court sentenced him to a five-month electronically monitored curfew from 7 pm to 7 am, imposed costs of £880, and banned him from keeping pigs.

However, he was permitted to retain his chickens, as there was no evidence of deliberate cruelty towards them.