Snowdonia...Farmer David William Lloyd Thomas jailed for 24 weeks after flouting ban on keeping dogs

THIS, SICKEVIL MAN, SHOULD NEVER BE ALLOWED TO KEEP ANIMALS AGAIN

A Snowdonia farmer who flouted an eight-year ban on keeping dogs was jailed for 24 weeks on Monday following a surveillance operation by the League Against Cruel Sports. David William Lloyd Thomas, 56, of Cwm Bowydd Farm, Blaenau Ffestiniog, appeared at Llandudno Magistrates' Court where he admitted breaching a previous ban and failing to properly care for 29 dogs and two ferrets.

Thomas, who had 2,000 acres and 2,000 sheep, was also handed a fresh ten-year ban from keeping dogs or ferrets, alongside jail time. District judge Gwyn Jones told the hearing Thomas had three times breached a disqualification made in 2018 after a badger-baiting case.

Jones told the defendant: "I am quite satisfied it’s a wilful, deliberate, and persistent breach of the order. No doubt you would have hoped with the passage of time people will no longer be concerned with regard to the way in which you deal with animals.”

An RSPCA raid at the farm found dirty conditions and a lack of fresh drinking water for animals, the court heard. Prosecuting lawyer Peter Mitchell showed video footage of Thomas kicking a dog.

Mr. Mitchell argued Thomas' actions weren't an inadvertent breach of the disqualification, but instead a clear breach. However, defense solicitor Michael Strain said Thomas had been “under a microscope for four days” and there was no gratuitous attempt to cause suffering to animals or evidence of fox hunting.

David William Lloyd Thomas, 56, and his son Carwyn Lloyd Fazakerley, 18, both of Cwm Bowydd Farm, Blaenau Ffestiniog, appeared in court on November 7 (Image: League Against Cruel Sports)

Mr. Strain told the court Thomas didn't hunt wild animals and said the animals were not treated “disgustingly,” as the League had previously alleged. Mr. Strain added that Thomas was a “proud” farmer and liked to care for his animals but hadn’t met modern standards.

Carwyn Lloyd Fazakerley, 18, of the same address also admitted to failing to provide a suitable environment for 29 dogs last November. Fazakerley, who was described by a probation officer as "loyal to his father", was ordered to do 160 hours of unpaid work and pay £600 costs.

He was also banned from owning dogs for ten years. Deprivation orders were made for the two ferrets and 28 surviving dogs.

https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/snowdonia-farmer-jailed-24-weeks-25458716