The trial of an Aberdeenshire farmer has heard a cow was left to lie in a field and “die slowly”.
William Cassie, who lives at Portstown Farm in Keithhall near Inverurie, denies 12 charges relating to the care of cattle and dogs at farms across Aberdeenshire.
Yesterday Aberdeenshire Council animal welfare inspector Robert Ravenshear was questioned by fiscal depute Anne Macdonald on his visits to the farm in December 2018.
Mr Ravenshear spoke of one cow, found on its side near a creep feeder – a common feeding device for livestock.
The inspector said: “It was not able to stand. It had been lying for some time as it had defecated behind itself more than once.
“It was not a natural position for an animal to be in. It was dying slowly lying there.”
Animal welfare workers visiting the farm eventually decided the cow should be put down.
One of the 12 charges Cassie denies is that in the week before the inspector’s visit, he caused that cow, identified by its ear tag number, unnecessary suffering by failing to provide adequate care and treatment by leaving it in the field.
It is alleged the 63-year-old did not seek veterinary advice when the animal was emaciated, dehydrated and suffering with a liver condition.
Mr Ravenshear’s evidence also brought into question whether someone on the farm had observed the animal in pain.
Under Ms Macdonald’s questioning, he claimed there were three fresh footprints near the animal when he found it.
The animal inspector claimed the dung next to animal had been washed away by rain, while the shoeprints were “distinct” and unaffected by previous weather.
But defence advocate David Moggach questioned whether Mr Ravenshear was trained to age footprints.
“I want to explore the possibility that the footprints were there before the cow was,” he said.
“It could be the footprints were from someone going to the feeder before the cow got there.”
Mr Ravenshear said he “did not believe that”.
He reported seeing a number of emaciated cows, who had recently mothered calves.
After the visit to Portstown Farm on December 11, 2018, around 70 animals – cattle and dogs – were seized by council animal welfare officers.
Cassie also denies accusations about the standard of care offered to animals at Lower Wanford Farm in Alvah near Banff, Mains of Montcoffer in Macduff and Mill of Kinmuck, near Ellon.
The prosecution is expected to call its final witness this morning as the trial, in front of Sheriff Margaret Hodge, continues.
