A LLAMA owner has been sent to the crown court after entering guilty pleas to neglect charges.

Christian John White appeared at Hereford Magistrates' Court charged with causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal, failing to fulfil his duty of ensuring the needs of his animals were met, and failing to comply with animal by-product requirements.

The prosecution said that he had caused suffering to a llama by failing to act when it had fly strike, and had also failed to dispose of llama carcasses properly. The court heard that White had failed to ensure that an animal or bird did not have access to the carcasses.

Fly strike is described by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) as "a painful and sometimes fatal condition caused by flies laying their eggs on another animal and maggots eating the flesh."

The RSPCA's website also says: "If your pet becomes infected, ask a vet for help immediately."

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The 50-year-old's offences had been committed between June 6, 2022, and June 20, 2022.

White, of Aylton, near Ledbury, initially pleaded not guilty to the charges, then changed his plea to guilty on February 12.

The case was sent to Worcester Crown Court for sentencing, where he will appear on March 11.