OWEN NICHOL'S CRUELTY AT TAUNTON FARM: COWS AND CALVES VICTIMS OF BRUTAL ATTACKS

In a disturbing case that has shocked the local community in Taunton, farmhand Owen Nichol, born around 1998 and residing at Buckland Road, TA2 8EW, was caught on camera engaging in acts of severe animal cruelty. The footage, captured at Pyrland Farm in Taunton in December 2016 by the advocacy group Animal Equality, vividly depicts Nichol's violent treatment of cows and calves, sparking a major investigation by the RSPCA.

In the recorded footage, Nichol is seen violently throwing a calf away from its mother, an act that highlights the callousness of his actions. The video also shows him kicking and stamping on a calf no fewer than seven times, demonstrating a blatant disregard for the suffering inflicted upon the animals. Over a span of four minutes, the footage reveals further acts of brutality, including Nichol kicking and punching a cow that had recently given birth, as well as slamming a gate onto the animal in a manner that suggests deliberate cruelty.

The RSPCA responded swiftly after being shown the footage, launching a comprehensive investigation into the matter. The images and videos caused widespread outrage among animal welfare advocates and the general public alike. During the subsequent court proceedings, magistrate Dr. Peter Reed addressed Nichol directly, condemning his behavior as “absolutely unacceptable.”

While acknowledging that the offences exceeded the threshold for custody, the magistrate decided to impose a suspended sentence on Nichol, considering his young age, lack of prior convictions, and the circumstances surrounding the incident. The court sentenced him to a 12-week prison term, suspended for one year, effectively allowing him to avoid immediate incarceration but with strict conditions.

Additionally, Owen Nichol was banned from keeping or working with animals for a period of two years, a restriction that was set to expire in April 2019. The case drew criticism from animal rights organizations, with Dr. Toni Shephard of Animal Equality UK expressing her disappointment that Nichol was not sent to prison. She described the acts of cruelty as “disgusting attacks on vulnerable cows and calves,” emphasizing that any punishment less severe than imprisonment was inadequate for such disturbing conduct.

The incident has reignited debates about animal welfare enforcement and the need for stricter penalties for cruelty cases in the region. The community in Taunton continues to grapple with the implications of this case, which underscores the importance of vigilance and accountability in safeguarding animal rights.