JSPCA PRESS RELEASE

September 2005  

BUSINESS MAN PLEADS GUILTY TO CHARGES OF ANIMAL CRUELTY FOR THE SECOND TIME

Mr Alfonso Luis pleaded guilty to four charges of animal cruelty relating to an incident involving the inappropriate tethering of four sheep.  He appeared in the Magistrates Court on 29^th September 2005 where he was given one years disqualification from keeping sheep and a fine totalling £800.  

The tethering of these sheep, three by the horns and one sheep by its neck, was in such an inappropriate manner so as to make it impossible for the sheep to lie down.  Mr Alfonso had been intending to leave these sheep tethered in this fashion with no access to either food or water for 48 hours until they were due to be transported to the abattoir. 

It was only in September last year that Mr Alfonso Luis pleaded guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to rabbits in July 2004 and as a result was fined and banned from keeping rabbits for five years.

This case highlights the urgent need for the ‘new’ Jersey Animal Welfare Law 2004, which has yet to be enacted.  This new Law is much more comprehensive than the out dated 1980 Protection of Animals (Jersey) Law and should therefore, once enacted, help to safeguard the health and welfare of the Island’s animals.  

ENDS