Farmer facing £6k bill after string of violent attacks by 'bossy' donkey
A "hobby" farmer could be banned from keeping animals after being found guilty of failing to stop a "bossy" donkey from bullying and attacking a field of farm animals.
Appearing at Daventry Magistrates' Court yesterday, Andrew Harding, aged 39, was found guilty of eight charges of animal neglect and of failing to stop a Spanish donkey violently biting and shaking pigs, goats and sheep.
The court was shown footage, since obtained by the Chron, of a savage attack by Paco, a "bossy" stallion that Harding was responsible for, on a terrified pig.
Magistrates heard Harding had taken responsibility of Paco on a trial basis in December 2008 and kept him in his rented field, off High Street, Tiffield.
Within weeks, however, neighbours witnessed the violent donkey terrorising Harding's own pigs and goats after he was left in the same field. The court heard claims that Paco had also broken into a neighbouring field and killed another male donkey, called Pablo.
In court, Harding said he had kept the animals as a "little hobby farm" for his children and had learnt about keeping pigs from books purchased on eBay.
He told the court he had not believed neighbours or trading standards officers when they told him Paco was terrorising the other animals.
He said he wanted evidence in "black and white" and only accepted the truth when he witnessed Paco "kneeling" on one of his Kune Kune pigs.
Harding, of Bretby Chase, Westcroft, Milton Keynes, was also found guilty of failing to treat a pygmy goat that suffered from a skin condition, leaving his pigs without water and failing to provide shelter to a saddleback sow and her seven piglets.
Presiding magistrate Sally Clubley told him he was guilty of "failing to investigate and prevent" the donkey's attacks.
She said: "You received numerous reports from trading standards and from others about what was going on. You were made aware of photos and DVD evidence and you received calls from trading standards.
"You were told repeatedly to separate Paco from the smaller animals and that the fencing you put up was inadequate. Paco and the smaller animals were not kept separately, therefore the smaller animals were not protected from Paco."
Prosecuting for Northamptonshire County Council Trading Standards, Vic Smith made an application for Harding to pay 6,080 costs.
Sentencing was adjourned until next month.
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