A Staffordshire livestock owner has been sentenced following serious animal welfare failings involving nearly 100 cattle at her farm in Uttoxeter.

Jennifer Bennett, aged 30, of Brookside View, Hodge Lane, Birchcross, Uttoxeter, appeared before Newcastle Magistrates' Court on Thursday 30 July. She received a 14-week suspended jail sentence, 12 months of community service, £1,000 in costs, and a £154 victim surcharge. She has been disqualified from keeping animals for ten years.

What officers found

The case followed an unannounced inspection by Staffordshire County Council's Trading Standards Animal Health Team at Brookside View on 25 March last year.

Officers discovered multiple cattle in extremely poor condition. The animals had no adequate access to feed or water. Dead animals were found on the farm, alongside emaciated cattle unable to stand. Calves were housed in dirty conditions.

Animals removed and treated

Nearly 100 cattle were removed from the farm to prevent further suffering. Many received extensive veterinary treatment, though some animals were so severely ill they had to be put down.

District Judge O'Connor told the court: "Jennifer Bennett is the person responsible for the welfare of the animals as the legal owner and there was a significant period of neglect which led to disease and death."

Council response

Anthony Screen, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Resilience at Staffordshire County Council, said: "This is another incredibly distressing animal welfare case our Trading Standards officers have had to deal with. The suffering uncovered in this case was significant and required immediate action to protect the animals involved. We take animal welfare extremely seriously and will not hesitate to pursue robust enforcement action where standards fall below the law."

Further investigations

The investigation also uncovered suspected offences relating to cattle identification and animal by-products legislation.

Alan Bennett, Jennifer Bennett's father, who had day-to-day responsibility for the care of the cattle, is due to be sentenced separately at Stafford Crown Court.