Two smallholders from Bissoe have been banned from keeping animals after pleading guilty to animal welfare offences.

Richard Harris, 38, and Demelza Davies, 32, from Nangiles Farm in Bissoe, appeared before Truro Crown Court on Friday July 10 to face charges of causing unnecessary suffering to a sheep, failing to dispose of chicken carcasses, and failing to care for poultry. Davies was also charged with failing to ensure the welfare of poultry, pigs, cattle and sheep.

Harris was sentenced to 150 hours of unpaid community work and given a three year ban on keeping cattle, pigs and sheep.

Davies received a two year conditional discharge and was banned for four years from keeping cattle, pigs and sheep. The pair were also ordered to pay £2,000 in costs.

Allan Hampshire, head of Cornwall Council’s Public Protection and Business Support service, said: “The sheep was infested with maggots for at least three days before my officers found it. Yet neither Mr Harris nor Miss Davies had treated the sheep.

"Such neglect of an animal will not be tolerated, and as in this case appropriate legal action will be taken.”

Passing sentence, Judge Christopher Harvey Clark said it was not his task to penalise smallholders and farmers but he had a duty to reflect proper standards of husbandry and welfare.

He said: “The way you looked after the animals and poultry on your farm was completely unprofessional. Proper standards of husbandry and welfare must be maintained to avoid danger and ill health to animals and poultry.”