A Crown Court judge has sentenced a Pembrokeshire father and daughter after they admitted causing unnecessary suffering to multiple animals over a 15-month period.
Richard Scarfe, 44, of Park Street, Pembroke Dock and his daughter Brogan, 26, of Woodbine Terrace, Pembroke pleaded guilty to charges relating to pigs, sheep, poultry and dogs between January 2022 and April 2023. 😢
The court was shown disturbing video footage of animals in distress, including a pig squealing in pain with its head stuck in a holding pen and severely malnourished sheep and pigs.
During multiple visits, animal welfare officers from Pembrokeshire County Council and the RSPCA discovered:
- Dead pigs left near enclosures with live animals
- Malnourished animals with inadequate food and water
- Severely emaciated sheep showing ribs and spine
- Hazardous enclosures knee-deep in mud
- Dogs locked in makeshift kennels littered with faeces
When confronted, Richard Scarfe claimed the animals were in good health, stating: “Just like there are fat people and thin people, there are fat pigs and thin pigs.”
Richard Scarfe was also charged with breaching a previous five-year ban on keeping certain animals following a 2022 conviction.
Judge Katherine Richards told him:
“The care you showed to those animals was highly inappropriate. You refused to accept the advice and opinion of experts, and you continued to think that your knowledge was better. But this caused prolonged periods of neglect and high levels of suffering to the animals in your care.”
Richard Scarfe received an 11-month suspended sentence and a lifetime ban on keeping animals. His daughter Brogan must complete a 12-month community order with 100 hours of unpaid work and is banned from keeping animals for five years.
One cow, 26 sheep, 43 pigs, 23 poultry and five dogs were seized and taken to a sanctuary, with many requiring medical treatment. 🐖 🐑
Comments
Comments on this story are checked before they appear. Please don’t name anyone the story doesn’t, or say anything about guilt or the evidence.
No comments yet. Be the first to have your say.