THERESA COWLING'S HORRIFIC ANIMAL CRUELTY IN TRURO: FARM CONDITIONS EXPOSED
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Truro Animal Abuser
Theresa Maria Cowling, born in December 1963, residing at Higher Lamerton Farm in Idless, near Truro, has been found guilty of multiple serious animal welfare violations on her farm. The investigation into her farm revealed appalling conditions that put the health and safety of her livestock at significant risk.
Welfare officers conducted inspections on her property following complaints about her cattle straying onto neighboring farmland. These visits, which took place in July and December of 2015, as well as January, February, and March of 2016, uncovered a distressing scene. The farm housed over 30 Dexter cows, which had limited grazing space and were kept in a shelter that was grossly inadequate for their needs. The shelter was overcrowded, with wet bedding contaminated with feces, and the cows were observed standing in thick mud at their feeding stations, clearly in poor health.
In addition to the cattle, the farm also kept pigs, which were found living in deplorable conditions. The pigs were living in muddy, wet enclosures with no proper bedding or dry lying areas. Their drinking water was dirty, and some pigs were observed in a state of poor health, with one pig suffering from a leg wound likely caused by protruding nails in the housing structure. The pig pens contained rusty, broken corrugated metal sheeting and nails protruding from the enclosures, posing a risk of injury.
Further inspection revealed that the pigs were being fed inappropriate foods such as oranges and bananas, which are not suitable or legal for pig diets. There was no farrowing rail in place to prevent sow piglets from being crushed by their mothers, a basic welfare requirement that was neglected. The conditions were so wet and muddy that the animals were shivering, and some were in obvious distress. Several cows had overgrown feet, impairing their ability to walk properly, and their overall condition was poor.
Despite receiving advice from welfare officers, Cowling made some improvements, such as providing better bedding and clean water. However, subsequent visits showed that many issues persisted. The shelter remained too small, and the animals continued to be kept in unsuitable conditions. The farm's environment was still hazardous, with protruding nails and broken metal still present in the pig enclosures. The ongoing neglect indicated either an inability or unwillingness on Cowling’s part to fully comply with animal welfare standards.
Kevin Hill, representing Cornwall Council, explained that the violations stemmed from repeated visits and complaints. He emphasized that the conditions were unacceptable and that the animals were suffering due to inadequate care. He called for the magistrates to disqualify Cowling from keeping farm animals to prevent further cruelty.
During the court proceedings, Cowling defended her actions, citing the severe wet weather conditions that had contributed to the poor state of her farm. She claimed that her pigs, especially the mothers, had not lost any piglets and that they were well cared for daily. She also stated that the Dexter cattle had always been outdoor animals, living outside with her throughout their lives, and that she planned to extend their shelter soon.
She expressed shock at the council’s demand for her to cease keeping animals, asserting that she had followed all advice given by welfare officers. Cowling insisted she loved her animals and was committed to their well-being, stating, “I was very conscious of looking after my animals. I would not harm anything. I love them all.” She also mentioned that her work at a local college and her gardening activities were part of her routine, and that the farm had been in her family for generations, inherited from her grandfather. “I love it there and I don’t want to lose it,” she added.
Despite her assurances, the court was shown evidence that conditions had not improved sufficiently. Welfare officer Stephanie Martin confirmed that, as of February 2017, the pigs and cattle still suffered from inadequate bedding, with nails and sharp metal still present in the pig housing. She expressed concern that the poor conditions would recur with the return of bad weather, indicating ongoing risks to the animals’ welfare.
In sentencing, Cowling received a 12-month community order, which included 150 hours of unpaid work. She was also ordered to pay costs amounting to £1,250 and a victim surcharge of £60. Additionally, she was banned from keeping farm animals for a period of three years, a ban that was upheld after her appeal was dismissed in February 2017. The appeal court found that her farm still failed to meet basic welfare standards, with nails and sharp metal still protruding from the pig enclosures as recently as February 6, 2017.
Theresa Cowling’s case highlights the ongoing issues of animal cruelty and neglect in rural farming communities, and the importance of strict enforcement of animal welfare laws to prevent such suffering from continuing.
Welfare officers conducted inspections on her property following complaints about her cattle straying onto neighboring farmland. These visits, which took place in July and December of 2015, as well as January, February, and March of 2016, uncovered a distressing scene. The farm housed over 30 Dexter cows, which had limited grazing space and were kept in a shelter that was grossly inadequate for their needs. The shelter was overcrowded, with wet bedding contaminated with feces, and the cows were observed standing in thick mud at their feeding stations, clearly in poor health.
In addition to the cattle, the farm also kept pigs, which were found living in deplorable conditions. The pigs were living in muddy, wet enclosures with no proper bedding or dry lying areas. Their drinking water was dirty, and some pigs were observed in a state of poor health, with one pig suffering from a leg wound likely caused by protruding nails in the housing structure. The pig pens contained rusty, broken corrugated metal sheeting and nails protruding from the enclosures, posing a risk of injury.
Further inspection revealed that the pigs were being fed inappropriate foods such as oranges and bananas, which are not suitable or legal for pig diets. There was no farrowing rail in place to prevent sow piglets from being crushed by their mothers, a basic welfare requirement that was neglected. The conditions were so wet and muddy that the animals were shivering, and some were in obvious distress. Several cows had overgrown feet, impairing their ability to walk properly, and their overall condition was poor.
Despite receiving advice from welfare officers, Cowling made some improvements, such as providing better bedding and clean water. However, subsequent visits showed that many issues persisted. The shelter remained too small, and the animals continued to be kept in unsuitable conditions. The farm's environment was still hazardous, with protruding nails and broken metal still present in the pig enclosures. The ongoing neglect indicated either an inability or unwillingness on Cowling’s part to fully comply with animal welfare standards.
Kevin Hill, representing Cornwall Council, explained that the violations stemmed from repeated visits and complaints. He emphasized that the conditions were unacceptable and that the animals were suffering due to inadequate care. He called for the magistrates to disqualify Cowling from keeping farm animals to prevent further cruelty.
During the court proceedings, Cowling defended her actions, citing the severe wet weather conditions that had contributed to the poor state of her farm. She claimed that her pigs, especially the mothers, had not lost any piglets and that they were well cared for daily. She also stated that the Dexter cattle had always been outdoor animals, living outside with her throughout their lives, and that she planned to extend their shelter soon.
She expressed shock at the council’s demand for her to cease keeping animals, asserting that she had followed all advice given by welfare officers. Cowling insisted she loved her animals and was committed to their well-being, stating, “I was very conscious of looking after my animals. I would not harm anything. I love them all.” She also mentioned that her work at a local college and her gardening activities were part of her routine, and that the farm had been in her family for generations, inherited from her grandfather. “I love it there and I don’t want to lose it,” she added.
Despite her assurances, the court was shown evidence that conditions had not improved sufficiently. Welfare officer Stephanie Martin confirmed that, as of February 2017, the pigs and cattle still suffered from inadequate bedding, with nails and sharp metal still present in the pig housing. She expressed concern that the poor conditions would recur with the return of bad weather, indicating ongoing risks to the animals’ welfare.
In sentencing, Cowling received a 12-month community order, which included 150 hours of unpaid work. She was also ordered to pay costs amounting to £1,250 and a victim surcharge of £60. Additionally, she was banned from keeping farm animals for a period of three years, a ban that was upheld after her appeal was dismissed in February 2017. The appeal court found that her farm still failed to meet basic welfare standards, with nails and sharp metal still protruding from the pig enclosures as recently as February 6, 2017.
Theresa Cowling’s case highlights the ongoing issues of animal cruelty and neglect in rural farming communities, and the importance of strict enforcement of animal welfare laws to prevent such suffering from continuing.