Leek couple sentenced after hundreds of calves removed from farm
More than 240 calves were taken into council care after officers found animals in poor conditions at a Staffordshire farm
A husband and wife from Staffordshire have been banned from keeping farm animals after hundreds of calves were removed from their farm.
Matthew and Courtney Shuker, of Westwood Hall Farm in Leek, admitted a number of animal welfare offences.
Trading Standards officers visited the farm in March 2023 and found animals in such poor condition that 243 calves had to be removed and taken into the council's care.
The court also heard that dogs owned by the couple were being kept in appalling conditions, leading to a separate prosecution by the RSPCA.
What officers found
The couple had already been given advice and improvement notices when officers visited the farm in March 2023.
Both Matthew and Courtney Shuker continued to keep the animals in appalling conditions.
They were not given enough food, sick animals did not always receive veterinary treatment, and officers found ill, dying and dead animals on the farm.
The court also heard that bull calves had been unlawfully castrated.
In passing sentence, Judge Wilkinson said the case "strikes at the heart of an animal loving nation."
The sentences
Matthew Shuker, 38, has been given a 38-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months.
He has also been banned from keeping livestock for 12 years and companion animals for 10 years, fined £400, ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work and must pay more than £15,500 in costs.
Courtney Shuker, 32, was given a 26-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months.
She was also banned from keeping livestock for 12 years and companion animals for 10 years, fined £200, ordered to complete 140 hours of unpaid work and ordered to pay more than £15,300 in costs.
Council response
Anthony Screen, Staffordshire County Council's Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Resilience, said:
"Our animal health team work hard to ensure livestock is properly cared for.
"This is a particularly upsetting case involving vulnerable, young animals whose basic welfare needs were not met. Despite professional advice and intervention, the couple continued to offend, even after animals had been removed from the site.
"Investigations of this nature require significant time and public resources, but they are essential to protecting animal welfare. I'm pleased the court has reached a successful conclusion, sending a clear message that we will take robust action where welfare standards are ignored."