CONVICTED (2023) | Daniel Mark Hoskin, born 21 April 1988, of Rose Terrace, St Anns Chapel, Gunnislake PL18 9HT – starved animals on his farm and left them in severe pain.

Hoskin admitted a total of eight animal cruelty offences, which all occurred during March and April 2023.

Horrified inspectors from Cornwall Council found animals owned by Hoskin in a shocking state.

Kevin Hill, for the Council, informed the court that inspectors found sheep and cattle being kept in an unsuitable environment with access to hazardous items including wire, plastic and carcasses. There were cattle and sheep that had not received prompt or effective treatment and they did not have a suitable diet either.

Hoskin previously received a caution for cruelty offences in 2017

The admitted charges found that Hoskin:

• As a keeper of a cattle herd failing to apply both ear tags within 20 days of birthday.
• Didn’t provide a suitable diet with sufficient feed to four cattle and five sheep.
• Didn’t provide four cattle and five sheep a suitable environment by leaving them access to hazardous objects such as wire and plastic.
• Failed to provide 19 cattle and 38 sheep prompt and effective treatment thus failing to protect them from pain, suffering, injury and disease.
• Didn’t provide enough feed and water for 29 cattle and 38 sheep.
• Failed to store or dispose of 21 bovine carcases and nine sheep carcases.
• Didn’t notify the secretary of state (Defra) to the death of cattle within seven days and didn’t share the ear tag number, the date of death and the holding on which it died.
• Failed to provide prompt and effective treatment for a collapsed ewe.

Sentencing magistrates told Hoskin that his actions caused “serious suffering to the animals”.

Sentencing | six-month custodial, suspended for 18 months; 180 hours of unpaid work; £154 victim surcharge and court costs of £3,478.21. Disqualified from keeping farm animals for a period of five years (expires November 2028).

CornwallLive
Cornwall Council