A COUPLE have been fined a four-figure sum for keeping chickens in a poor state.
Lee Fish and Lynda Hodson, of Cheetham Hill Road in Dukinfield, were found to have had the animals in such shocking conditions, they have also been banned from keeping the birds.
Tameside Magistrates Court heard a black chicken was found at Meadow Lane Allotments in November last year.
According to court documents, the 46-year-old, ‘caused unnecessary suffering to a protected animal, by a failure to act, namely to investigate and address its poor condition, weight loss and lethargy.’
He also failed to provide a red adult chicken an appropriate diet, leading to its starvation and did not take reasonable steps to make sure 14 animals got either a suitable diet or a suitable environment at the same location.
Mr Fish admitted all three charges at a hearing on August 1 and was fined a total of £1,500 and ordered to pay a surcharge of £50 and costs of £200.
But 60-year-old Mrs Hodson saw they first two charges, relating to the solitary animals dismissed.
She was, however, hit in the pocket to the tune of £407 n the form of a £173 fine, a £34 surcharge and £200 costs.
The pair were also banned from owning, keeping, participating in keeping or being party to an arrangement under which they are entitled to control or influence the way in which they are kept for two years under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.