Welsh farmers fined £20k and banned from keeping animals following prosecution

Dewi Thomas, Dyfrig Thomas, and Eirlys Thomas of Cildywyll Farm in Llanddowror, were found guilty of severe breaches of animal welfare laws. 

This prosecution follows a previous conviction in which Eirlys Thomas and her son Dewi Thomas were prosecuted in February 2023 for unnecessary suffering of livestock, while Dyfrig Thomas received a formal caution. 

A farm inspection that took place in May 2023 has revealed disturbing scenes of neglect, including dogs and puppies roaming freely with no control over breeding, livestock living among carcasses, and severely ill cattle and pigs.  

One cow was found with an untreated swollen eye, while several dogs, including a cocker spaniel with protruding ribs, were living in hazardous conditions, feasting on rotting carcasses, without a suitable diet, water, or adequate accommodation. 

In a barn, inspectors found decomposing carcasses alongside living animals, highlighting the lack of adequate care.  

The Thomas family, responsible for the farm’s operations, had not sought veterinary care for many of the animals, including unvaccinated puppies and animals suffering from untreated illnesses. 

Ongoing non-compliance 

As a result of these discoveries, the Thomas family was issued improvement notices and required to address the immediate welfare needs of their animals. Pigs, dogs, and puppies were removed from the premises on welfare grounds.  

However, further inspections revealed ongoing non-compliance. Subsequent visits uncovered additional neglected animals, including sheep with untreated injuries from a dog attack, as well as discrepancies in farm records related to livestock deaths and movements. 

Between February and September 2023, 144 bovine deaths were recorded at the farm, with 32 deaths unaccounted for, raising further concerns about the management of the livestock. 

During court proceedings, Judge DJ Layton said: “History shows over the past years the family has neglected animals, from pigs to dogs to sheep. 

“This is a situation that resulted in the grandmother and father having a suspended sentence order, which is as close to prison as you can get, and Dyfrig Thomas got a caution, presumably due to his age.

“Then, as soon as the order was made, the situation continued, with dogs exposed to hazards and not having suitable beds, a sow wasn’t given water – a fundamental, basic need, puppies and adult dogs eating animal carcasses, pigs eating carcasses… It’s shocking.” 

Family sentenced 

Dewi Thomas was sentenced to a 12-month community order with 150 hours of unpaid work and was banned from keeping livestock for five years.  

Eirlys Thomas received a 12-month community order and was also banned from keeping animals for five years, while Dyfrig Thomas received a six-month community order and was banned from keeping animals for two years.  

All three were ordered to pay a total of £19,275.10 in costs, along with the confiscation of livestock under section 34 of the Animal Welfare Act. 

As part of the legal action, multiple animals were removed from the farm and placed in the care of local rescue services.  

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