Farmer admits animal cruelty after cow deaths

Daniel Jones (right) admitted 13 charges of animal cruelty

A farmer has admitted causing unnecessary suffering to cattle following the death of five animals.

Daniel Jones, 30, of Anglesey, pleaded guilty to 13 charges, including causing suffering to cattle and failing to ensure the welfare of animals.

The charges cover a period between January 2023 and April 2024, when Jones was keeping cattle at Bodafon y Glyn near Llannerch-y-Medd.

Judge Timothy Petts warned Mr Jones at Caernarfon Crown Court that a prison sentence was almost inevitable when he is sentenced on 3 October.

His partner Ellis Judson is expected to be acquitted of 12 similar charges.

'Emaciated'

On 13 January 2023, 84 calves were found without clean water, or any access to water at all, leaving three of them requiring veterinary treatment.

On the same day, four dairy cows were found “emaciated and dehydrated” and unable to stand. Three of the four had to be put down.

That month, the bodies of at least 18 cattle and calves, and an "unknown number of carcasses” were found buried in manure heaps and the old silage pit.

A month later, vets were again called to a cow and calf found unable to stand with no access to water. Both animals later died.

The court, sitting in Llandudno, Conwy, heard Jones was working to improve conditions on the farm, so would not be banned from keeping animals in the future.

Speaking briefly after the hearing, Jones said he and his partner had been expecting a baby at the time.

Ms Judson was told that the prosecution would be offering no evidence against her and she would be formally acquitted next month.

Mr Petts told Jones: “This is a serious case, given the number of animals involved.  The decision will be whether that prison sentence can be suspended or not.”