A man has been banned from keeping large animals for life after he was found guilty of cruelty to a cow.

Richard Scarrott of Malting Villas, Rochford, was prosecuted by Essex trading standards after it found a heifer had lost a considerable amount of weight in a six-week period.

When an inspector visited Scarrott, 62, on October 8 1999 he also discovered a pig carcass in among other pigs.

There was also evidence of the pigs eating raw hens' eggs which are classed as animal by-products and are therefore illegal to feed to livestock.

Scarrott pleaded guilty to the offences.

The inspector and vet visited again on November 11 and believed the cow, which was now being kept in an outhouse, had become thinner.

Christopher Dennison, a ministry of agriculture vet, told Southend Magistrates' Court he believed the cow was malnourished and "approaching emaciation".

When interviewed, Scarrott insisted he had fed the cow enough.

He admitted it had lost weight but put it down to the cow becoming agitated about being inside and a change of grass.

Southend magistrates decided Scarrott was guilty of causing unnecessary suffering and ordered the cow be given over to the RSPCA.

Defence solicitor Matthew Bond said: "Keeping animals is a hobby for Mr Scarrott, and he cares for them very much. The carcass that was found was his pet pig Charlie, who he had looked after for seven years."

He was banned from keeping any animals, except dogs and cats, for life. He was also fined £260 and ordered to pay £200 towards the cost of the prosecution.

By Keily Oakes

Reporter's e-mail: keily.oakes@notes.newsquest.co.uk

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