Pig owner from Goole banned from keeping animals for decade

David Britton, 60, of High Street, Airmyn, was sentenced on Monday (September 14), at Hull Magistrates’ Court following a prosecution by East Riding of Yorkshire Council.

He had pleaded guilty at Beverley Magistrates’ Court on Monday (July 13) to keeping pigs in an unsuitable environment.

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The offence related to the condition of the pigs’ living area, which was found to be filled with scrap materials, including old domestic appliances, building materials, metal objects and other debris.

The council began investigating in May 2023 after receiving reports from a member of the public about the welfare of pigs visible from a nearby footpath.

Inspections revealed the animals were being kept in an area cluttered with scrap, including old appliances, construction materials, metal, and other debris.

Fencing designed to protect the pigs from these hazards was poorly maintained and inadequate.

Although some improvements were made, further visits confirmed that dangerous materials remained.

A Senior Veterinary Inspector from the Animal and Plant Health Agency assessed the property in December 2023 and deemed the environment unsuitable for the pigs.

A veterinary review of the case found that the pigs were kept in conditions with multiple hazards and that these concerns had not been properly addressed.

The court heard that the council’s animal health team had been in contact with Britton about similar issues since 2017, offering regular advice and support.

An Improvement Notice under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 was issued in 2021.

While Britton did carry out some remedial work, it was minimal and not maintained.

He was sentenced to a 26-week curfew from 7pm to 7am, ordered to pay £1,000 in prosecution costs, and given a £114 victim surcharge.

The court also issued an order depriving him of ownership of the pigs with immediate effect.

The animals have since been removed from the property.

Britton was banned from owning, keeping, or participating in the care of pigs for 10 years.

District Judge Bryan said during sentencing that the Animal Welfare Act 2006 was designed to prevent animal suffering and ensure a suitable living environment.

The judge said Britton had received repeated warnings and was not “a fit and proper person.”

She accepted that the pigs had not suffered harm, but said this was “by way of good luck rather than good judgement.”

Councillor Lyn Healing, East Riding of Yorkshire Council’s cabinet member for communities and public protection, said: “We’re dedicated to enforcing animal welfare standards and taking appropriate enforcement action to protect animals from unnecessary and poor living conditions.

“We will always seek to work with keepers to achieve compliance through advice and education whenever possible.

“However, we will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action when necessary.

“Keepers must ensure they abide by animal welfare regulations, whether they own livestock animals on a commercial, pet, or hobby basis.”

Members of the public can report concerns about livestock welfare through the East Riding of Yorkshire Council website.