A Scottish sheep farmer pleaded guilty Tuesday to cruelty to animals after being caught on video punching and kicking sheep.
An undercover eyewitness documented that he viciously punched sheep in the face on his Herbertshaw Farm in Scotland in 2018.
The animal welfare organizations People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) worked together on a case against the farmer.
Th farmer admitted to violently punching two male sheep causing unnecessary suffering under Section 19 (1) of the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006. He has to pay a £550 ($710) fine.
Scottish SPCA chief inspector John Chisholm said: “This is a serious case of animal cruelty by an experienced farmer. We are disappointed that he wasn’t banned from owning or working with animals but we hope this will serve as a warning that this behavior is unacceptable.”
Sheep are suffering everywhere
PETA and its affiliates note that it’s deeply disturbing that in every shearing shed they’ve visited – in the UK, Australia, the US, and South America – they’ve witnessed precisely the same kinds of violence against sheep, who were unable to escape the abuse.
Shearers have been caught punching, kicking, stamping on sheep, hitting them in the face with electric clippers and standing on their heads, necks, and legs.
“When it comes to wool, the truly animal-friendly choice shoppers must make is not to buy or wear it.”
-Jason Baker, PTA
“While today’s conviction marks an important milestone, this kind of wanton cruelty to gentle sheep occurs every day in the wool trade,” says PETA Senior Vice President of International Campaigns Jason Baker. “When it comes to wool, the truly animal-friendly choice shoppers must make is not to buy or wear it.”
Source: PETA