A WORKER at a poultry farm where thousands of dead and dying birds were discovered has been found guilty of animal cruelty.
Ian Raw, 41, of Moor View, Cockfield, County Durham, was found guilty of 13 charges relating to the welfare of chickens at the former Gibson's Poultry Packing Plant, in the village.
The owner of the plant, Fazal Kamal Dad, of Bleak Terrace, Cockfield, failed to appear at Bishop Auckland Magistrates' Court and a warrant was issued for his arrest. The farm was raided in November last year, and more than 2,000 dead, dying and diseased birds were found.
The birds were bred to be slaughtered after seven weeks, but some had been left to over-develop and their legs had buckled under the weight of their bodies.
Raw denied all the charges, which included failure to provide adequate accommodation and care for the birds.
He was given a six-month discharge and ordered to pay £75 costs.
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