Two Staffordshire farmers receive livestock ban and fines for neglect

Two Staffordshire farmers have received a suspended jail sentence, a 12 year livestock ban and fines for neglect.

Matthew and Courtney Shuker of Westwood Hall Farm, in Leek were banned for keeping animals after letting huge numbers of calves suffer and allowing a dog to starve to death. The couple were sentenced this week after pleading guilty to several animal welfare offences last year. 

The couple who run the Pet and Country Stores at Thornfields Farm on Leek Road, Weston Coyney will each complete unpaid work in community service orders.

Although connected by name, the pair are not connected with the farm shop on the site and have left the pet shop premises since their court appearance.