Perth Farmer denies pregnant cow cruelty charge
- Published
A farmer has been accused of cruelty to pregnant cows by driving a tractor into their hind legs, making them stumble.
John Easton, 64, of Guildtown, near Perth, denies causing unnecessary suffering to two animals at Hallroom Farm in Perthshire on 6 May.
The charge at Perth Sheriff Court alleges the cows were "heavily in-calf" at the time of the alleged offence.
A trial date for Mr Easton, who did not appear in court, was set for 14 January 2011.
It is alleged that he made the cows stumble and would have known, or ought to have known, that what he did would have caused them to suffer.
The charge alleges that he acted contrary to section 19 (1) of the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006, which prevents unnecessary suffering to protected animals.