The court case against Orkney councillor James Moar, accused of breaching animal welfare laws, has been continued without plea until next month.
The case called at Kirkwall Sheriff Court earlier today, with sheriff Robert McDonald satisfied to have it continued – first to December 7 and then onto December 21.
Mr Moar was elected to represent the East Mainland, South Ronaldsay, and Burray ward last May. He is one of three new councillors in the ward
The 66-year-old has been accused of two breaches of the Animal Health and Welfare Scotland act 2006.
Both incidents are alleged to have taken place at his home address in Deerness.
He is accused of causing unnecessary suffering to two cows, between April 7 and May 5 this year, by failing to provide them with veterinary treatment or pain relief for their foot infections and failing to provide them with sufficient nutrition which led to them becoming emaciated and requiring euthanasia.
Mr Moar is also alleged to have failed to ensure the needs of a number of cattle were being met.
He is accused of failing to provide them with comfortable, clean, and dry resting areas; feed that was free of faecal contamination; sufficient water; and failed to seek veterinary treatment for their lameness.
This second offence is alleged to have taken place between May 6 and 17 this year.
Case continued
Today saw the second hearing of the case against the Orkney councillor. It had also previously been continued without plea.
His solicitor, Tommy Allan, described the potential consequences of the case for the Orkney councillor as “fairly brutal.”
The solicitor also said he is “fairly confident” the matter will be resolved on December 21.
Sheriff McDonald said continuing without plea is limited to four weeks. So, the case will have to call again on December 7.
However, he said he was happy to continue it again at that hearing.
The sheriff said: “If there’s going to be a resolution, the sheriff will need to have the fullest information both from the prosecution and the defence to enable us to deal with it.
“I would have no difficulty, in whatever shape or form, continuing it on to December 21.”
