A SOUTH Ayrshire man has been fined £5000 and banned from owning bovine animals for five years following a Scottish SPCA investigation.

Detlef Meier, 63, of Maybole was sentenced yesterday for causing unnecessary suffering and failing to ensure the welfare of animals under sections 19 and 24 of the Animal Health and Welfare Scotland Act 2006 at Ayr court.

Commenting on the investigation and court case, Chief Inspector Karl Knowles said: “This was a shocking case of severe neglect.

“Meier had failed to provide suitable nutrition and drinking water, adequate shelter from adverse weather and a dry clean resting area, and protection from the deep, muddy, hazardous environment he knew his animals were enclosed within.

“We are delighted the court has handed this sentence down.”