Lifetime ban for farmer who let animals freeze to death in field
A farmer who left livestock to die in a frozen field in Rugeley has been banned from keeping animals for the rest of his life.
Stephen Croxall, aged 50 and from Kingstone near Uttoxeter, pleaded guilty to breaching the animal welfare act.
He was given a 16-week jail sentence suspended for 12 months and ordered to pay £1,000 in costs in addition to the lifetime ban.
The charges ranged from causing unnecessary suffering to animals to failing to record the administration of medicines.
When animal health officers from Staffordshire County Council visited the farm on December 31 2018, they found the animals in terrible condition, starving and freezing to death.
One lamb was hypothermic and another was dead under a fallen gate.
A young calf was also found very vocal and thin, indicating it had not been fed or watered. Several other animals had to be put down.
The 50-year-old told the court he was tired from his full-time job as a wood cutter and that vets were too expensive.
The offences happened at Croxall's field in Blithbury Road, Hamstall Ridware, Rugeley.
Freezing mouldy silage
The court was told: "It was -3C at 11am. The land was described as white and frozen.
"There were sheep and cattle, with some sheds and caravans in the corner. Officers saw 20 bales of silage which were black and mouldy.
"When the officers entered the field, the animals were hungry as they were running towards the officers for food.
"There were buckets of water but these were frozen. The grass was frozen and there was no hay or straw.
"A wall of metal in the shed had been broken and sharp edges were sticking into the shed.
"There was also an emaciated calf which must have been there for days. Officers could see its spine.”
Gill Heath, at Staffordshire County Council, said: "This is one of the saddest cases of animal neglect our team have had to deal with in a long time.
"People who keep any kind of animal have a duty to ensure they are well cared for and kept free from harm, but Mr Croxall fell very short of this. The sheep, lambs and cattle were kept in a truly shocking state."
Gill added: “Our trading standards animal health officers work closely with businesses and livestock owners to make them aware of their responsibilities and relevant legislation.
"Thankfully, the vast majority are responsible and play an important part in Staffordshire’s economy. However, where there is neglect, they will take prompt action like in this case.”
Mr Croxall was sentenced at Newcastle Magistrates Court on Monday.
