Farmers admit cruelty after animals chew pig's ear

A father and daughter have admitted causing unnecessary suffering to animals at their Pembrokeshire farm where one pig had its ear chewed as other animals had no food.

Richard and Brogan Scarfe, of Lamphey, pleaded guilty to causing harm to animals between January 2022 and April 2023.

Swansea Crown Court heard pigs were left next to carcasses and sheep were found in an emaciated state.

Scarfe, 44, was given an 11-month sentence, suspended for 12 months, and a lifetime ban from keeping animals, while his 26-year-old daughter was handed a 12-month community order.

The court heard Scarfe, who had owned the farm since 2019, had already been disqualified from keeping some animals in February 2022, before these offences were brought against him.

But he transferred the animals to the care of his daughter, who was unable to carry out the role due to "lack of experience".

Christian Jowett, prosecuting, said sheep were repeatedly found with insufficient water and food, were thin and of poor body condition, with the ribs and spine clearly visible.

Pembrokeshire council, the RSPCA and vets inspected Highland View Fold between 2022 and 2023 before the authority seized ownership of all animals later that year.

Scarfe shook his head from the dock as the court watched footage of inspections of his farm by the council that showed a pig squealing in pain with its head trapped between a barrier.

Videos also showed pigs held in a small enclosure with deep mud, close to two pig carcasses and a lamb unable to stand.

Scarfe was advised by a vet to increase the pigs' feed, to which he became "annoyed", arguing that the animals should not be fat and people chose to eat leaner meat, the court heard.

In handing the lifetime ban and suspended jail term, Judge Catherine Richards said Scarfe had caused the "high level of suffering" to a large number of his animals.

The judge also imposed a 15-day rehabilitation activity requirement and a 12-month mental health treatment requirement.

Scarfe's daughter sat emotionless as her defence barrister Ross McQuillan-Johnson said she had been handed an "inappropriate level of trust and responsibility".

Judge Richards told her: "I have no doubt you acted as a result of loyalty to your father."