Field littered with broken glass and debris

Owner fined over 6,000 euros for neglecting farm animals

Starving. The animals´ ribcages are clearly visible

The animals, including a cow, horses, lambs, pigs and hens were found in a deplorable state, with little pasture and no water, on a property in Es Castell

C.M.W..Maó

The Island Department of Agriculture has started proceedings against the owner of farm animals found in a semi-abandoned state on a property in Es Castell, with a recommendation that the total fine be in the region of 6,602 euros.

The animals, including a cow, stallion and mare, pig, lambs and hens, were left in a field with little pasture and no water and are in a deplorable state. Apart from not containing adequate food or liquid for the stock, the field is littered with broken glass, wooden pallets and iron bars. A resident, who last week again denounced the owner to the Guardia Civil, said that worms had started to eat the rear of one of the lambs.

Several months ago SEPRONA (the branch of the Guardia Civil dealing with nature-related incidents) denounced the owner for neglect and Es Castell Council took steps to remedy the situation, including telephoning the owner who then provided several bales of hay (now exhausted) for the starving animals.

The first of the three cases being brought against the owner concerns the inadequate conditions in which the animals are kept; an infringement considered serious and punishable by fines of between 3,001 and 6,000 euros. The Department of Agriculture has informed the owner that the fine will be 3,001 euros.

The second case, brought in February, concerns the owner´s failure to notify the the authorities of the death of one of his animals, also considered to be serious and incurring a fine in this instance of 3,001 euros.

In the third case, the lack of an equine health card, classified as a mild infringement, can carry a fine of 600 to 3,001 euros. The Department has recommended a sum of 600 euros, bringing the total amount to 6,602 euros.

Department vets have been monitoring the enclosure and the animals who have shown signs of malnutrition since February. They paid another visit to the property last Thursday, accompanied by SEPRONA agents, and found the animals in a better condition than in February, having been provided with hay and water.

The Island Councillor for Agriculture, Antònia Allès, said that her department currently had half a dozen similar cases pending which may or may not result in fines being imposed.