A FORMER chief inspector for Zimbabwe's equivalent of the RSPCA has criticised the "inhumane" treatment of cattle at an Alvechurch farm.

Meryl Harrison said she was appalled at the situation at Emmadale Farm in Rowney Green Lane, where 30 cows have been left to slowly starve to death after their owners were sent to jail.

Lionel, David and Stephen Tongue were found guilty of breaching the Protection of Animals Act at a trial in 2003 but were jailed for 12 months each in May after failing to pay fines of more than £100,000.

The cattle have now been left to starve to death and while Worcestershire County Council claims it has tried several different ways to stop the suffering, it could not seize the animals and had nearly exhausted its options.

The county's animal health manager, Andy Williams, said they were monitoring the situation daily and, where necessary, the state veterinary service was used to humanely destroy the animals.

But Mrs Harrison, who worked for the Zimbabwe National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, said the most humane thing to do would be to destroy all the remaining animals immediately.

"As an ex-inspector, I'm appalled at everyone saying we will stand back and wait," said the Headless Cross woman.

"We had this situation many times in Zimbabwe when farmers were kicked off their land and you just have to make a plan.

"I just feel people are standing around and saying, 'it's not our problem' but its inhumane. I think a decision should be made."