Goole pig keeper sentenced for animal welfare offence
David Britton, from Airmyn, was prosecuted by East Riding of Yorkshire Council
Last updated 16th Sep 2026
A pig keeper, from Goole, has been sentenced for an animal welfare offence.
David Britton, 60, of High Street, Airmyn, was prosecuted by East Riding of Yorkshire Council.
Britton was sentenced, having pleaded guilty at Beverley Magistrates Court, on Monday 13 July 2026, to keeping pigs in an unsuitable environment, due to the condition of the area in which they were housed.
Council officers started an investigation in May 2023, after reports from a concerned member of the public, about the welfare of pigs, visible from a public footpath adjoining the property.
During inspections, officers found pigs being kept in an area containing significant amounts of scrap materials, including old domestic appliances, building materials, metal objects and other debris.
Officers observed that fencing, designed to separate the pigs from some of the hazards, was poorly maintained and provided inadequate protection from unsafe items.
Further inspections found that, despite some improvements, numerous hazards remained within the enclosure. A Senior Veterinary Inspector, from the Animal and Plant Health Agency, inspected the premises, in December 2023 and concluded that the environment, in which the pigs were being kept, was unsuitable.
A veterinary review of the evidence concluded that the pigs had been kept in an unsuitable environment, containing several hazards. It found that these concerns had not been adequately addressed, despite opportunities to rectify the identified issues.
The court also heard how East Riding Council’s animal health team had previously engaged with the defendant, regarding similar concerns, since 2017. Officers had frequently provided advice and guidance and, in 2021, an Improvement Notice had been served, under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
Although some remedial work was undertaken by Britton, these were to the minimum requirement and not consistently maintained.
He was sentenced to a 26-week curfew from 7pm – 7am and ordered to pay £1000, towards the prosecution costs, as well as a £114 victim surcharge.
In addition, an order was made to deprive him of ownership of the pigs, with immediate effect. The pigs have been removed from the premises and Mr Britton was disqualified in respect of pigs from owning them, keeping them, participating in keeping them and from being party to an arrangement, under which the defendant is entitled to control or influence the way in which they are kept, for a period of 10 years.
District Judge Bryan remarked in sentencing, that that the Animal Welfare Act 2006 was brought in for the purposes of protecting animals from pain and suffering and it places requirements on owners, to prevent suffering and provide a suitable environment.
The judge stated that Mr Britton had been given numerous warnings and is clearly not a fit and proper person. She accepted the pigs did not suffer harm, but stated this was by way of good luck, rather than good judgement.
East Riding of Yorkshire Council Cabinet Member for Communities and Public Protection, Councillor Lyn Healing, said: “We’re dedicated to enforcing animal welfare standards and taking appropriate enforcement action, to protect animals from unnecessary and poor living conditions.“
“We will always seek to work with keepers, to achieve compliance through advice and education, whenever possible. However, we will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action, when necessary. Keepers must ensure they abide by animal welfare regulations, whether they own livestock animals on a commercial, pet, or hobby basis.”
Concerns about welfare of livestock animals can be reported at https://www.eastriding.gov.uk/environment/pests-dogs-and-animals/livestock-animal-welfare/#can-i-report-a-concern-about-the-welfare-of-farm-animals