A government department is looking into concerns over the welfare of cows at a Sevenoaks farm, alleged to have been fed inedible hay and denied clean water.

Questions over the treatment of the animals, found in Oaks Farm, Watercroft Road, Halstead, were first raised on Friday by Christine Bates and her friend Faye Smith but nearly a week later, no agency or charity has been out to see the livestock.

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The farm owner, Craig Sergent has denied the allegations made about his treatment of the livestock.

Two cows have died since Friday, with the 15 or so remaining left with no grazing space, shelter or clean water, according to Christine, who works in animal welfare.

The only food available is hay, which is black and wet with grass growing out of it.

"They should be bought inside and given hard food," Christine said.

She has expressed frustration over the lack of clarity on which agency handles such investigations.

"I must have rung 30 different agencies. It has taken all this time to decide what governing body needs to deal with with this."

Amongst other agencies, Christine contacted DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs), the RSPCA and Dartford Borough Council.

Although, DEFRA does not comment on individual cases, the RSPCA has said the government department are "looking into this incident".

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Christine said: "I am really frustrated with how hard it is to get help for these animals.

"After this I want us [other animal welfare bodies] to get together and work out a proper procedure to follow which is set in stone.

"We can't keep on relying on the RSPCA. Everyone needs to know what is happening.

"We have spent the last five days going back and forward, in that time more animals have died."

As well as reporting the incident, Christine and Faye have urged others on social media to raise their concerns about the animals' plight with the relevant authorities.

Farmer Craig Sergent, who owns Oaks Farm, denied the claims levelled at him.

He said the cows are fed between two and three- and-a-half tonnes of vegetable feed every day, and explained there is a three gallon water tank at the top of the field.

Mr Sergent said the animals did not require shelter as they "live outside all year" and their bodies are suited to the outside. He stressed none of his cows have died since Friday.

Although he has been contacted by the Trading Standards over the allegations, Mr Sargent has not heard from any other organisation overseeing animal welfare.

He said: "If they are so concerned why don't they turn up and speak to me?"

A spokesman for APHA (Animal and Plant Health Agency), an executive agency of DEFRA, said: “We take all potential breaches of animal welfare legislation very seriously and investigate all allegations. Where welfare regulations are breached, appropriate action is always taken.”

An RSPCA spokesman said: "We are grateful for people reporting animal welfare concerns. DEFRA, which has statutory powers, is looking into this incident. The RSPCA, which doesn’t have statutory powers, is able to assist if requested."

It is understood DEFRA and the RSPCA will visit the site in the next few days.

Escaped animals, unusual finds and news from the RSPCA can all be found here

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