59 horses rescued in one of RSPCA's largest cases, of 'wanton neglect'

More than 450 animals were seized from a farm where they were being kept in “appalling conditions”

- By ELEANOR JONES

A FARMER who “wantonly neglected hundreds of animals” in one of the largest cases the RSPCA has dealt with has been jailed for a year and banned from keeping animals for life.

Authorities found a “foul smell” at Croftfield Farm in Dawgates Lane, Skegby, Nottinghamshire, owing to the “appalling conditions” in which Lee Hayes, now 52, was keeping hundreds of animals.

The 59 horses and donkeys were among 455 animals seized, in an operation involving seven other welfare charities, with dogs, rabbits, rodents, cats, poultry, exotics, birds, reptiles and a llama.

Hayes pleaded guilty to 25 animal welfare offences and was sentenced at Mansfield Magistrates’ Court on 18 September. His girlfriend, 33-year-old Tammy Heath, of Moorland Close, Skegby, had pleaded guilty to two welfare offences relating to two dogs.