Calling on Wiltshire Council and Wiltshire Police to Take Action

“We, the undersigned, call on Wiltshire Council’s animal welfare, environment, and antisocial behaviour departments, as well as Wiltshire Police, to uphold and enforce the laws and regulations being breached by Micheal Babey and his family.

For decades, these breaches have gone unchecked, resulting in harm to animals, the environment, and the community. Such prolonged disregard for the law undermines public trust in local authorities and the police, perpetuating a cycle of neglect and antisocial behaviour.

 Why This Matters
·         Animal Welfare: The wellbeing of animals must be protected. Wiltshire Council has a duty to ensure that all residents comply with established animal welfare standards.

·         Environmental Protection: Environmental breaches will have long-term consequences, harming ecosystems and the health of local residents.

·         Community Impact: Antisocial behaviour disrupts the harmony and security of the community, seriously affecting the quality of life for all residents.

What We Request
We demand that Wiltshire Council and Wiltshire Police:

·         Conduct thorough investigations into the breaches of laws and regulations.

·         Take immediate and decisive action to hold accountable those who continually violate these laws.

·         Provide transparency in the enforcement process to rebuild public trust.”

Join Us
By signing this petition, you are standing up for justice, accountability, and the wellbeing of our community. Together, we can ensure that Wiltshire Council and Wiltshire Police enforce the laws and regulations meant to safeguard our society”.

Background

Back in 2022 a Facebook post alerted people to a structure in the beautiful village of Shrewton, Wiltshire that looked as though a bomb had been dropped on it. Inside, we later discovered were 20 young male cattle in appalling conditions.  

it was reported to the RSPCA, who unforgivably hindered the case by repeatedly telling local council and others that the situation was okay.

It took another two years to get evidence to satisfy the Animal and Plant Health Agency / Defra / Wilts. Council Trading Standards legal departments. 

Finally, Micheal Babey and his wife were charged with 24x cruelty to cattle by neglect, he was further charged with breaching an existing five year animal ban he got relating to horses at same location. At court they eventually pleaded guilty to cruelty, and the case was adjourned for sentence. A week before that hearing they magically changed their pleas to not guilty. This meant the case had to be listed for trial... another delay... all the time the cattle are still living, literally in shit. 

In April this year he avoided prison at Salisbury Magistrates’ Court and had his 20-week jail sentence suspended for two years. APHA prosecutors told how an animal health officer visited with a vet and found 24 cattle on the half-acre site.

The prosecution told the court that, when interviewed, Mr Babey claimed that cows could go for three days without water, and Mrs Babey confirmed she owned the cattle but did not know how many animals there were.

Eleven cattle were kept in one pen in heavily soiled conditions, and their feeding area was covered in deep slurry and mud.

Sentencing Mr Babey, magistrate Sarah Neish told him the animals had suffered and said: “You were found guilty at trial of a number of offences.

“This is the third time you have been before the court. There have been previous convictions of poor welfare of animals.

“You have shown over a period an inability to look after animals properly.”

Both have been banned from keeping all animals except dogs, cats and cockatiels, which they currently own with no evidence of mistreatment, for 10 years.

Mr Babey was told to pay £5,000 in costs, plus a £154 surcharge to fund victim services.

Mrs Babey was fined £100 and ordered to pay £200 in costs and a £114 surcharge.

“Mr and Mrs Babey show little regard for the law and for the welfare of their cattle.

“I hope that the sentencing today sends a strong message that breaking animal welfare law and mistreatment of animals will not be tolerated in Wiltshire".

It is sentiments like "hope" in the last sentence that has prompted this petition. 

The sentencing in no way reflects the serious nature of the crimes and the suffering caused to the cattle. It doesn't send any message about the consequences of treating animals like the Babeys.  

We do not "hope", we expect a proper message to be delivered.

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