Farmer starved five Highland cows in field near Stirling during summer drought

A farmer who starved five Highland cows during a summer drought has been warned he faces a jail term.

David Cameron, 72, admitted leaving the animals in a field near Stirling without checking them regularly “in a time of extended drought” between April 21 and June 21 2023.

Stirling Sheriff Court heard that despite the fact that the cattle had access to only “negligible” quantities of grass in the field, Cameron failed to provide supplementary feeding.

This resulted in the beasts suffering “chronic malnutrition”.

The court was told Cameron had recently sold the cattle at a local mart, and was keeping them in the field prior to being transported to Ireland.

Solicitor Virgil Crawford, defending, said Cameron had arranged for someone to look after them before they were moved.

Mr Crawford said: “That person did so for a time then apparently run out of feed and wasn’t feeding them.

“Mr Cameron was expecting the cattle would have been transported sooner than they were but he remains responsible.”

He said Cameron was now “about to retire”.

Cameron, of Stirling, pleaded guilty to causing the animals unnecessary suffering, contrary to the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act.

Sheriff Keith O’Mahony deferred sentence until April 25 for a social background report, and an assessment of Cameron’s suitability for a restriction of liberty order – under which he would have to wear an electronic ankle tag and be subject to a home curfew.

Sheriff O’Mahony said: “Imprisonment is a possibility.”

Cameron refused to comment to a reporter as he left the court building.