A Powys farmer has admitted causing unnecessary suffering to more than 80 sheep after illegally tail docking the animals without veterinary advice or pain relief.

Guy Hodnett, of Brook House, Knighton, appeared before Llandrindod Wells Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, January 20, where he pleaded guilty to two offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 following a prosecution by Powys County Council.

The court heard that Mr Hodnett purchased a group of more than 80 lambs and, in November 2024, applied elasticated rubber rings to their tails to carry out tail docking. At the time, the lambs were over six months old.

The procedure was carried out by Mr Hodnett himself, without consulting a vet, without the use of anaesthetic and without providing any pain relief afterwards.

While tail docking is permitted under the Permitted Procedures (Mutilations) (Wales) Regulations 2007, strict rules apply. Rubber rings must not be used on sheep older than seven days, and sheep over three months of age may only be tail docked by a veterinary surgeon using appropriate anaesthesia and pain relief.

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) Expert Witness, concluded that:

• The defendant lacked the basic knowledge, skills, and competency required for the proper care of sheep;

• The application of elasticated rings was unnecessary and caused unnecessary suffering;

• The method used would have subjected the lambs to a prolonged and avoidable period of pain;

• The defendant failed to demonstrate acceptable standards of stockmanship, as required by Welsh secondary legislation;

• His actions resulted in significantly delayed healing, thereby increasing the animals’ pain and suffering; and

• The timing of the procedure, at the end of fly‑strike season, meant there was no reasonable justification for tail docking

Although this was Mr Hodnett’s first known offence, magistrates were told that the sheer number of animals involved, the seriousness of the suffering caused and his complete disregard for animal welfare legislation made prosecution both necessary and proportionate.

Magistrates told Mr Hodnett that they would only fine him for the first offence.

Magistrates fined the defendant £604 for the first offence, reduced to £403 due to his guilty plea, with no separate penalty for the second offence committed. He was ordered to pay £2,000 prosecutions costs and a £161 court surcharge, bringing the total to £2,564.

Cllr Richard Church, Cabinet Member for Legal and Regulatory Services, said: “Animal welfare is a fundamental responsibility for anyone who keeps livestock, and the circumstances of this case are simply unacceptable. The level of suffering caused to these sheep was entirely avoidable, and the actions taken showed a clear disregard for both the law and the wellbeing of the animals involved.

“Our officers work hard to support farmers in meeting their obligations, but where those standards are ignored, we will not hesitate to take appropriate enforcement action.”

“This prosecution sends a clear message that Powys County Council will act to protect animal welfare and uphold the standards that the vast majority of our farming community meet every day,” added Cllr Church.