Sheffield Independent – Monday 13 January 1879
Conviction of a Farmer for not Reporting ‘ Scab. ‘
On Saturday, at the Doncaster County Police Court,
Mr. T. H. Simpson, of Conisbro’, a well-known farmer, was charged with a breach of the Contagious diseases (Animals) Act.
Superintendent Tod J stated that he visited defendant’s premises on the 1st inst., and found 14 sheep suffering from scab. Defendant had given no notice of the existence of the disease on his farm, although the regulations had been duly published m the regular way, and in the newspapers.
The sheep, it appeared had been drawn from three flocks, and in each of these he found other sheep slightly affected with scab.
Defendant admitted the offence, but said the disease had only just become known to him when the police visited his premises, and he had no time to give notice. It was true the disease had previously shown itself, but, after proper dressing, it disappeared. Since the 21st of Dec. 260 sheep had been dressed, and only one was found to be affected with scab.
Mr. J. M. Axe, veterinary surgeon, said the sheep had all been well dressed.
Police-constable Morley stated that on the 26th December Mr. Simpson admitted to him that his sheep had been affected with scab for a very long time.
The Chairman (Lord Auckland) said they considered the case fully proved. The penalty was a heavy one, because the Government were determined that the public should be protected against these contagious diseases. The penalty in one case was £20, and where there was not more than four animals, £5 each animal. However, as this was the first case against the defendant, the penalty would be 40s. and costs.