# Facing prison, farmer who posed as vet and left animals in agony

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/facing-prison-farmer-who-posed-as-vet-and-left-animals-in-agony/
- Published: 2026-11-03T19:31:10+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-03T20:38:30+00:00
- Original publisher: Daily Mail (publisher lean: Right)
- Original article: https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-16263067/Facing-prison-farmer-posed-vet-left-animals-agony.html?ns_mchannel=rss&amp;ns_campaign=1490&amp;ito=1490
- Topics: Business, World

## Key points

- A Lanarkshire farmer admitted eight animal welfare and veterinary law offences.
- Investigators seized 13 dogs and numerous horses from his properties.
- Sentencing is due on 1 December, with prison under consideration.

## Summary

Bernard Wentink, a Lanarkshire stud farmer who carried out horse procedures while posing as a vet, has admitted animal welfare offences and is facing possible imprisonment. The case matters because investigators found widespread neglect across his properties, and several animals had to be put down despite receiving veterinary care.

The 54-year-old admitted seven breaches of the Animal Health and Welfare Act and one breach of the Veterinary Surgeons Act. In October 2023, Scottish SPCA officers seized 13 dogs and numerous horses from properties in Coalburn, Lesmahagow and Cumbernauld; they found animals in unsanitary conditions, including horses in dark stables standing in wet faeces. Three dogs and a black mare were put down, and the sheriff deferred sentencing until 1 December, saying imprisonment was foremost in his mind.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.
