A NORTH Dorset farmer has been ordered to pay more than £2,000 after being prosecuted for causing unnecessary suffering to one of his cows.

Dairy farmer William Rowland, 45, of Shillingstone, near Blandford, was found guilty at Weymouth Magistrates of one offence of causing unnecessary suffering to a young heifer that was allowed to get into calf when she was too young.

This resulted in complications during birth, which ultimately led to the death of both the calf and the heifer.

Mr Roland was also found guilty of three offences under the Welfare of Farmed Animals (England) Regulations 2006.

He was fined £870 with a £15 victim surcharge and prosecution costs of £1,276.

The case was brought by Dorset County Council after trading standards carried out a routine inspection of the 220-acre farm.

Ivan Hancock, trading standards manager for Dorset County Council, said: “We encourage farmers experiencing difficulties with welfare issues or animal health requirements to contact us and not wait for issues to escalate.”