Man jailed after 350 neglected animals found
A man has been jailed for 16 weeks after 350 dead or dying animals were found at a property in North Yorkshire.
On 25 March last year RSPCA inspectors discovered live animals knee-deep in faeces alongside dead animals. A collie-type dog was living off the remains of a horse.
James Linsley, of Boldren, Barnard Castle, was sentenced at Bishop Auckland Magistrates Court on Tuesday (5 August).
He was jailed for three offences under the Animal Welfare Act.
He was found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to 54 sheep, four cows and one dog, failing to meet the needs of 310 sheep, 19 cows, five horses and one dog, failing to provide an adequate diet and for failing to meet the needs of four cows, one dog and 17 horses.
Mr Linsley was also banned from keeping cows and equines for 10 years.
“It was a scene of horror of huge proportions,” said RSPCA chief inspector Mark Gent.
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“There were dead and dying animals all over the place, and some of the suffering had been going on for months.
“It is the worst case I have ever been involved with due to the sheer number of animals.
“The RSPCA had officers there for a week and it was a traumatic experience for all involved.”
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A graduate of Exeter University, Amy joined our news team from Redpin Publishing in 2008 as news writer. She was promoted to deputy news editor in May 2013 and became news editor in April 2015. She left Horse & Hound in March 2016 to take up an editorial position in Dubai.