does anyone know about livestock in the uk?

[Hel]

basically there is a field in our small town which has cows, i think they go there to gove birth because there are always calves but they do seem to be different animals every few months. Its a big field so its sometimes hard to tell

The only shelter they have is a corrugated iron 'building' it looks like a bombs gone off in it, i cant imagine it holding any warmth at all and has holes on the roof letting rain in. The area around the structure is so boggy the cows struggle even with their hooves and last year after heavy rain it was totally swamped and there was green algae everywhere.

Ive never seen a human attending them and the structure hasnt been touched in the 18months ive been here though it looks more like 18 years.

It makes me sick walking past everyday and the school kids (its by the scool) always notice the bad living conditions.

Does anyone have a link to standards and who i would contact with my concerns? there is nothing to say who owns the fireld or animals and like i said in 18months ive never seen anyone there. Its not attached to a farm or anything its in the middle of a residential area

Am i allowed to put pics of this structure on this forum or is that breaking some kind of rule? wanted someone elses opinion because i know a lot of things that appear hideous are sadly within the law

[harpy]

You could try the RSCPA helpline http://www.rspca.org.uk/utilities/help-and-advice - I know people have reservations about the RSPCA but they should at least know the law and will I think send someone to look at it if they think the law may be being broken.

You can also find out about the legal standards on the DEFRA website

http://www.defra.gov.uk/foodfarm/far...arm/cattle.htm

ETA there are also recommendations about keeping cattle on the DEFRA website including this one

http://www.defra.gov.uk/foodfarm/far...s/cattcode.pdf

80 Where animals are outwintered they must have
access to a well-drained lying area and, where
possible, be provided with shelter from adverse
weather conditions.
81 You should have a concrete standing area, or
well-drained, suitable surface, that will not injure
animals’ feet around feed and water troughs. The
surface on which the animals walk to reach the
troughs should also be well drained. Otherwise,
you should move the troughs quite often so that
the animals are not standing in the same muddy
and fouled areas.
82 You should take all practical measures to
remove all cattle from areas that are in imminent
danger of flooding.

[Hel]

i cant see any concrete but i will have a proper nosey and take some pics on my phone later!

id be suprised if rats would even visit the site!

eta: thank you very much for the help!

[cobweb]

yes, please let the RSPCA know, they will follow it up.

[Charlotte]

Hillside Animal Sanctuary do investigations into cruelty/neglect cases but don't have the same legal powers as the RSPCA. If the RSPCA doesn't act then give them a bell.

But definitely DEFRA too.

Farmers do get fined for cruelty to livestock, not to the extent we'd like obviously but the law does give some protection to animals.

[Hel]

thanks for the advice everyone

i love cows they are such beautiful creatures. there is one that comes to the fence when we walk past im sure she knows we dont eat animals lol

[hullabaloo]

If they have some form of shelter, access to food and water you are likely to find the RSPCA will do nothing, frustratingly! However, definitely still report it but I would look into other organisations to contact too.