Small Charity Wins Landmark Private Prosecution Against Dairy Calf Dealers, Securing Lifetime Ban
In a groundbreaking legal victory this morning, the small charity Animal Justice Project has successfully secured the conviction of three calf dealers—Joshua Whittall, John Challinor, and Kevin Arden—in its first-ever private prosecution. The defendants, all from Shropshire, pleaded guilty under Section 4 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006 and were sentenced today at 10 a.m. at Kidderminster Magistrates’ Court.
Each was fined £595, ordered to complete 160 hours of unpaid work over the next 12 months, and required to pay a £95 victim surcharge and £500 towards costs. They were also disqualified from keeping farmed animals for life, with the option to apply for the ban to be amended after five years.
The court case reference number is 222400065065 – AJP -v- Joshua Whittall, John Challinor & Kevin Arden. The abuse took place at Oaklands Livestock Centre, Weston-Under-Redcastle, Prees, Shrewsbury, United Kingdom, SY4 5LR.
View footage here
Full investigation video here
Images here
Animal Justice Project worked alongside lawyers from Advocates for Animals and barrister Ayesha Smart to win this case, demonstrating the power of legal action in the fight against animal cruelty.
The sentencing today marks the second prosecution resulting from the damning footage, which was aired on BBC News, Mail Online, and more. It also led to the conviction of Oaklands Livestock Centre owner, Derek Whittall—father of one of the defendants. Derek has been banned from keeping cattle for five years.
Background: Exposing Systemic Cruelty
The convictions follow an extensive undercover investigation by Animal Justice Project at Oaklands Livestock Centre in Shropshire. Over a five-month period from November 2020 to March 2021, investigators documented horrific mistreatment of ‘surplus’ male dairy calves—animals deemed economically unviable by the dairy industry. Even with farmers increasingly using ‘sexed semen’ to reduce the number of male births or diverting male calves into the beef industry, the issue persists. The reality, Animal Justice Project says, is that milk comes at a huge cost—not just to cows, but also to their calves.
Footage captured by Animal Justice Project revealed calves being:
– Thrown down trailer and truck ramps
– Lifted by their tails
– Kicked in the head
– Hurled across pens
– Punched, slapped, and dragged by their ears
– Struck with sticks and pushed through metal gates
“This case demonstrates that those who exploit and abuse vulnerable animals will be held accountable,” said Claire Palmer, Director of Animal Justice Project. “The cruelty we exposed is not an isolated incident but part of a broken system that treats animals as disposable commodities. We will continue to fight until justice is served for all farmed animals.”
“The law that protects farmed animals is tragically often left unenforced by the public bodies responsible. This case is a testament to the impact that animal charities can have using private prosecutions to deliver justice for animals,” said Edie Bowles, Director of Advocates for Animals. “The suffering these calves endured was unacceptable, and we are proud to have worked with Animal Justice Project to hold those responsible accountable.”
A Broken System
The investigation implicated high-profile industry players, including dairy farms supplying Sainsbury’s via milk processor Müller. Despite supermarket and dairy industry policies aimed at preventing on-farm calf killings, these so-called ‘protections’ have failed to shield animals from brutality. Loopholes allow calves to be sold at markets and sent to dealers before eventual slaughter.
Many of the calves filmed at Oaklands were later transported to G. & G.B. Hewitt slaughterhouse, where Animal Justice Project captured the harrowing reality of young calves being killed for low-cost meat exports. Others suffered starvation at the dealer’s facility, receiving inadequate feeding in breach of welfare regulations.
Under UK law, unweaned calves under four weeks old must be fed at least twice in 24 hours. Investigators documented multiple cases where calves were left unfed for up to 21 hours, with some receiving just one feed in 29 hours. Distressed, hungry calves were seen pacing, crying out, and struggling to adjust to artificial feeding methods, only to be beaten when they failed to comply.
A Call for Change
Animal Justice Project remains committed to exposing and dismantling the dairy industry. This successful prosecution sends a clear message: those who exploit and abuse animals will be held accountable. The charity will continue to advocate for veganism and a dairy-free future.
