A man has been arrested after 1,600 pigs were found dead at a farm in Leeds. The animals were found in varying states of decomposition at the farm in Harewood last month and it's thought live pigs were found among them.
A 52-year-old man has been questioned on suspicion of causing unnecessary suffering to animals and released on bail pending further enquiries.
Leeds City Council's environmental health officers are investigating suggestions the animals starved to death. Police were called on November 12th after concerns were raised for the welfare of a man at the farm.
Officers liaised with the RSPCA and with Leeds City Council Environmental Health, which is now leading the investigation. A spokeswoman for Leeds City Council said: "Our environmental health officers are working with the Animal and Plant Health Agency and the police and as the investigation is ongoing we are unable to comment further at this time."
Rachael Procter, a Conservative councillor for the Harewood ward, said: “It’s such an important story. For 1,600 pigs to be starved to death over a six-week period, it’s unthinkable in this day and age.
“It’s common knowledge in the village of East Keswick and Harewood and people have been very shocked that this could happen and they have questioned why. It’s such a huge number: that is the fact that is really shocking everybody.”
