Gloucestershire Farmer Banned from Livestock for 10 Years After Lamb Death

Shaun Saunders, a 61-year-old farmer from Lydney in Gloucestershire, has been fined and banned from keeping livestock for 10 years after pleading guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a lamb and failing to comply with animal welfare regulations. This decision follows a complaint in October 2023 regarding the poor condition of animals on his property, where a lamb was found dead due to severe flystrike, and two carcasses were discovered. During the inspection by trading standards and a vet, it was revealed that Saunders had left the flock unattended for days without proper care. He also failed to apply for a temporary land association and neglected to notify livestock movements, despite receiving prior advice on these matters. Councillor Dave Norman emphasized the seriousness of the case and the ongoing efforts to ensure compliance with animal welfare laws. As a result of the court's ruling, Saunders was fined £1,000 and ordered to pay £3,000 in costs.