SUHAYL ALI FROM BLACKBURN CONVICTED OVER ILLEGAL SHEEP SLAUGHTER IN BLACKBURN

Suhayl Ali, a resident of Blackburn, was found guilty in connection with the unlawful slaughter of two sheep, an act that took place at his home on East Park Road. The incident, which occurred in August 2015, involved Ali killing the animals for a family celebration, specifically a traditional Islamic ritual known as Aqiqah, which is customary in his cultural background.

Ali, whose age remains unspecified, purchased the sheep for £180 from a man he had previously met at a sandwich shop. The seller was believed to be a farmer, and Ali’s decision to buy the animals was driven by the cultural significance of the ritual. However, the court heard that Ali used a knife to slaughter the sheep without stunning them beforehand, a method that is not only considered inhumane but also illegal under UK animal welfare laws. He lacked the necessary knowledge or skill to perform the slaughter properly, which resulted in unnecessary suffering for the animals.

The court was informed that Ali, born and raised in Blackburn, was under significant pressure from his Pakistani family to carry out the slaughter. This pressure was linked to the birth of his nephew, as part of the Islamic tradition of Aqiqah, where one lamb is sacrificed for a girl and two for a boy. The prosecution, led by Jack Henriques, emphasized that the slaughter took place at Ali’s residence and was not conducted in an approved or humane manner, raising concerns about animal cruelty.

During the proceedings, Ali’s legal representative explained that his client was influenced by his family’s cultural practices and was unaware that such actions were illegal in the UK. The defense stated, “My client was put under some pressure from his parents and brother to carry out the slaughtering for a feast following the birth of his brother’s son. This would usually be carried out in Pakistan, where his family are from, and my client had no idea that this was not allowed in the UK.” The lawyer also emphasized Ali’s remorse, saying, “He is deeply ashamed to have been sat in the courtroom, and had he known that it was not allowed, he would not have done it. He was doing this for a celebratory feast as part of his culture, not for profit or sport, or anything of that nature. He is a good man who cares for both his parents, who are both in poor health, and his wife and children. This will not happen again.”

The magistrates’ chairman acknowledged the cultural context but stated that Ali’s actions caused harm to the animals and the environment. The court considered his lack of previous convictions and decided to impose an £800 fine for causing unnecessary suffering, killing without stunning, and failing to remove specified risk materials. The case highlights the ongoing issues surrounding animal welfare and cultural practices within the UK legal framework.