CONVICTED (2024) | Christian John White, born c. 1974, a scaffolder turned poultry farmer from Aylton, near Ledbury – for the shocking neglect of a group of llama whose bodies were found decaying in a field and infested by maggots.
In a case brought by Herefordshire Council’s Trading Standards Service, White, who last year faced charges of beating a woman, pleaded guilty to five charges of causing animals to suffer. He had failed to ensure the animals were protected from pain, suffering, injury and disease, and also failed to correctly store and dispose of animal carcasses.
A complaint was made to Herefordshire Council in June 2022 after a number of llama carcasses had been spotted decaying in a field. There were also concerns regarding the condition of a live llama present in the same field.
A Senior Animal Health Officer from the Trading Standards Service visited the site where the animals were kept. Upon inspection he was shocked to find a llama severely infested with maggots.
Unfortunately, the animal could not be saved and died whilst the Officer was present on site.
A number of llama carcases were found in a decaying state with signs the animals had also died from fly strike.
Sentencing | 30 weeks’ imprisonment, suspended for 18 months; 200 hours of community service and 25 days of rehabilitation; £2,500 towards costs plus victim surcharge. Banned from keeping animals except one pet dog and poultry for 10 years (expires August 2029).