A 55-year-old farmer from the Ballymena area was disqualified from owning or keeping animals for life and given a suspended prison sentence after a court heard how 19 calves had to be put down because of his neglect.

Ian Wilson appeared at Ballymena Magistrates’ Court on 25 June 2026 for sentencing on ten charges under the Welfare of Animals Act (Northern Ireland) 2011 and one charge under the Animal By-Products (Enforcement) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015.

He was convicted of three counts of causing unnecessary suffering to bovine animals, seven counts of failing to ensure the welfare needs of animals were met to the standard required by good practice, and one count of failing to properly dispose of an animal carcase.

The case began after a complaint was made to the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) office in Ballymena. Staff from the local office and the department’s Welfare and Enforcement Branch carried out several inspections at Wilson’s farm.

During those inspections, officers found some animals did not have enough food and water. They also discovered multiple animal carcases. As a result, 19 calves were euthanised because they were suffering unnecessarily.

The court imposed a range of disqualifications. Wilson is barred from owning animals, keeping farmed animals, participating in keeping animals, being party to any arrangement that gives him control or influence over how animals are kept, dealing in animals, and transporting animals or arranging their transport for life.

For the unnecessary suffering offences, he received an eight-month custodial sentence suspended for three years. The good practice offences attracted a three-month suspended sentence, and the carcase disposal offence brought a two-month suspended sentence. All sentences are to run concurrently.

DAERA said it places a high priority on animal welfare and operates a robust enforcement policy. The department stated that suspected breaches are investigated thoroughly and, where appropriate, offenders are prosecuted. It reminded livestock keepers that promptly removing animal carcases is both a legal requirement and good agricultural practice to prevent disease spread, protect public health and reduce environmental harm.