RICHARD HANSDORD'S HORRIFIC ANIMAL ABUSE IN WEYMOUTH AND DORCHESTER

Richard Thomas Hansford, born around 1951 and residing on Mount Skippet Way in Dorchester, has been found guilty of causing significant suffering to farm animals he kept on a smallholding near Lewell, close to Dorchester. The conviction stems from multiple violations of animal welfare laws, specifically four offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and the Welfare of Farmed Animals (England) Regulations 2007.

In February 2017, Dorset County Council’s trading standards service responded to a distress call concerning Hansford’s chickens. An inspection was carried out on his land just outside Dorchester, revealing appalling conditions. The chickens were confined within a large, muddy enclosure that lacked any form of shelter or protection from predators and harsh weather conditions. The weather at the time was bitterly cold, and the water available to the chickens was frozen, rendering it inaccessible and unfit for consumption. Furthermore, the water containers were contaminated with green algae, indicating neglect and poor hygiene.

The court proceedings highlighted that Hansford had been repeatedly visited by authorities and advised on proper animal care over a span of ten years. Despite this, he continued to neglect his animals, failing to improve their living conditions. It was also revealed that in January 2017, Hansford had signed a formal caution related to similar issues involving pigs he kept on the same land, demonstrating a pattern of disregard for animal welfare regulations.

During the court hearing, Hansford attempted to justify his actions by claiming he had been a gamekeeper for 19 years and had always tried to look after his animals to the best of his ability. He also disclosed that he had been suffering from depression for several years, which may have impacted his ability to care for the animals properly. However, the magistrates were clear in their judgment, with the chair stating that Hansford had caused prolonged distress to his animals and had compounded this neglect by ignoring repeated advice from Trading Standards officials.

As part of his sentencing, Hansford was ordered to pay a fine of £530. Additionally, he was banned from keeping poultry and pigs for a period of ten years, a measure intended to prevent further animal suffering and ensure stricter oversight of his future conduct. This case underscores the importance of animal welfare laws and the consequences faced by those who fail to uphold them, even after multiple warnings and interventions.