Farmer is fined after five cows left to starve

A farmer who starved five Highland cows was spared jail and a cattle-keeping ban on Wednesday.

- TIM BUGLER

David Cameron left the animals in a field near Stirling without regularly checking them during an “extended drought” in the spring and summer of 2023, which meant only a negligible amount of grass was available.

Stirling Sheriff Court heard that Cameron, 72, had arranged for someone to give the cattle supplementary feed and silage, but this ceased and between April and June 2023 the beasts suffered “chronic malnutrition”.

An anonymous caller alerted the SSPCA, who passed the matter on to animal health and welfare inspectors at Stirling Council.

The inspectors found no supplementary feed in the field, at Broadleys Farm, Stirling, and established it had been some time since it had been provided.