A farmer who ill-treated a cow so badly that its shin bones were showing when it was brought to a meat factory for slaughter was yesterday fined £250 by a judge.
Anthony O'Connor (42) of Lenamore, Ballylongford, Co Kerry, denied cruelly ill-treating the Friesian cow at AIBP Meats plant at Macroom Road, Bandon, on April 29th, 1997.
Garda Gary McPolin told Bandon District Court he was called to the plant and found the animal in considerable distress with raw open infected wounds on its hind legs.
Department of Agriculture veterinary inspector Mr Gerard Collins said the cow was very thin and had severe lesions on three of its legs.