A BARNSLEY man has been banned from keeping pigs for 10 years.
Melvyn Priestley, of Ballfield Avenue, Kexborough, pleaded guilty to eight charges under animal welfare legislation.
He was sentenced on December 12 at Barnsley Magistrates' Court and told to serve a 12-month community order with the requirement to undertake 150 hours of unpaid work.
He was also given a disqualification order from owning, keeping, dealing, or participating in keeping pigs for a term of 10 years.
In addition, he was ordered to pay full prosecution costs of £1290.16 and victim surcharge of £60.
The court heard that on a routine visit in June 2013, Barnsley Council’s animal health officer Derek Green discovered three pigs at Ballfields Allotments, Kexborough, that appeared to have been left unattended for several weeks.
An inner wall had collapsed and living in their own slurry had left the pigs with severe skin burn.
The pigs were removed and examined by a vet who required the animals to be taken to a place of safety in order for their skin to heal.
Magistrates were also informed that Mr Priestley had previously been convicted by the council for similar charges in 2009.
District Judge Foster stated it was clear that the defendant did not have the capacity to care for the pigs and had been warned about this issue four years ago, which was used as evidence in the prosecution case.
He said that Mr Priestley should have known of the responsibilities that go with keeping animals and that this was a serious matter - the pigs had suffered as they were not kept properly.
Cllr Miller, cabinet spokesperson for development, environment and culture, said: "The hard work of our officers was instrumental in making sure this individual was brought to court for his crime.
"Barnsley Council’s animal health officers are committed to ensuring people keeping any animals do so responsibly, and action will be taken against those who fail to do so."
