CONVICTED (2023) | Joseph Alan Smith, born c. 1985, of Onslow Road, Fairfield, Liverpool L6 – left an elderly dog to starve to death in his filthy flat.
Joseph Smith left his elderly dog in an empty flat with no access to food or water. Source: Liverpool Echo
The skeletal body of Staffordshire bull terrier Tia, who was around 13 years old, was found covered in maggots and faeces by Joseph Smith’s landlord, who alerted the RSPCA.
Smith was already known to the animal charity. Three months before Tia’s death, Inspector Louise Showering visited Smith and found Tia to be very underweight. Smith told the inspector the dog had gone off her food but agreed he and his partner would take her to a PDSA clinic to check there were no underlying causes for her weight loss.
The scene of chaos in which Smith left his dog to die
The RSPCA attempted to follow up with Smith both in-person and by telephone, but were unable to get hold of him. Eventually an inspector spoke with Smith on the phone when he lied that a friend had taken Tia to a vet to be euthanised. In reality he had left her alone in his flat to slowly starve to death.
In a statement to the court RSPCA Inspector Lisa Lupson described the scene of abject horror that greeted her when she attended Smith’s abandoned flat.
Tia’s body was found lying on a sofa in the lounge of Smith’s unkempt flat
She said: “Tia’s bones were protruding from her body and maggots were swarming her face. The smell was overpowering and it was difficult not to gag – there was faeces coming from her bottom and her nails were very overgrown.”
Inspector Lupson called Smith, who told her that someone should have been attending to the dog.
A post-mortem showed that Tia was not suffering from any disease and that the likely cause of death was starvation. Several remnants of plastic food packaging were found in her stomach.
An expert vet’s report concluded: “Tia suffered as a consequence of not being provided with a suitable diet, that is suitable food and water, for a prolonged period.”
In court, Smith pleaded guilty to failing to provide for Tia’s needs and causing unnecessary suffering by not addressing the cause of her weight loss.
Sentencing | jailed for 16 weeks; a total of £628 in costs and victim surcharge. Banned from keeping animals for life.
CONVICTED (2023) | Bernadette Marie Gallivan, born 23 January 1976, of Saxton Avenue, Buttershaw, Bradford BD6 3SW – starved two cats to death, with an abandoned dog found in a state of severe emaciation.
Pic: Facebook
Grandmother Bernie Gallivan pleaded guilty to three counts of causing unnecessary suffering to a Jack Russell called Edie, and cats Bentley and Mischief.
Police and RSPCA inspectors forced entry to her abandoned home following a report of concern about the welfare of animals at the address and discovered the bodies of the cats. One was found in the bathroom and the other wedged behind a set of drawers.
Edie was hours from death when rescued by the RSPCA
Skeletal Jack Russell Edie, described as “petrified”, was found shut in the kitchen surrounded by chewed plastic takeaway cartons and empty bowls. She had survived by chewing her way through food packets.
The little dog had suffered so much muscle wastage her ribs, spine and pelvic bones were clearly visible.
The bodies of Bentley and Mischief were surrounded by mounds of rubbish, faeces, empty cans and bottles, and heavily soiled litter trays.
A post-mortem examination discovered Bentley had plastic in his stomach which the RSPCA believed he had eaten in a desperate bid to stay alive.
The inspector who found him in the sink said it was a “deeply saddening and distressing sight”.
The RSPCA said starvation was “highly likely the cause of death” for both cats.
It is believed the three animals had not been fed for “a prolonged period” of “at least two weeks, probably longer,” the charity said.
The charity said Edie, who weighed just 3.9kg when she was rescued, had been “found just in time”. After six weeks in the care of the RSPCA’s Halifax, Huddersfield, Bradford and District branch, her weight had increased to 6.8kg.
Gallivan had moved out of the property to live with a friend half-a-mile away but failed to return to attend to her pets despite working in a nearby cafe.
In court she admitted failing to take action to investigate the cause of the animals’ weight loss and failing to provide them with a suitable environment that was hygienic and free from hazards.
Edie has recovered well and is now living in “a lovely new home”, the RSPCA said.
Sentencing | community order with up to 20 days of rehabilitation activity; £100 towards the RSPCA’s costs plus £95 victim surcharge. Disqualified from owning or keeping animals for life, “due to concerns of neglect and harm”.
CONVICTED (2023) | Chloe Cochrane, born c. 1999, of Glaive Road, Knightswood, Glasgow G13 – failed to treat her pet cat’s serious and painful eye condition.
Chloe Cochrane left her cat in severe pain with an obvious eye condition
Cochrane pleaded guilty to failing to provide veterinary treatment for her cat, who was found in pain with severe entropion.
Scottish SPCA inspector Erwin, said, “On 9 October 2020 we attended the property where Miss Cochrane had been staying with her black and white male cat, Max.
Neglected pet Max received the medical treatment he desperately needed while in the care of the SSPCA
“Max was suffering from a condition in his right eye which appeared red, swollen and painful. He was not opening his eye fully, the third eyelid was exposed and there was a brown discharge observed.
“He was taken to our Lanarkshire Animal Rescue and Rehoming Centre so he could receive ongoing care and veterinary treatment.
“On closer inspection, Max was suffering from a severe entropion, where the eyelid rolls inwards causing eyelashes and fur to rub painfully on the surface of the eye, damaging the cornea. Multiple masses were also present in the upper and lower eyelids.
“Max underwent entropion correction surgery to make him more comfortable and prevent any further suffering.
“By failing to seek appropriate veterinary attention for Max’s eye, Cochrane caused him a great deal of unnecessary pain and suffering that could have been avoided with prompt veterinary care.”
Sentencing | community pay back order of 80 hours of unpaid work. Seven-year disqualification order (expires February 2030).
CONVICTED (2023) | animal hoarders John Symon, born 16 October 1981, and wife Victoria Symon, born c. 1986, both of 5 Seaton Gardens, Seaton, Aberdeen AB24 1XD – kept 60 neglected dogs, cats, small furries, birds and reptiles crammed into their flat.
Scottish SPCA inspectors discovered dozens of animals living in appalling conditions at the Symons’ small property, with the smell of animal excrement being described as “overpowering”.
The pair were initially offered support instead of prosecution, but continued to add more animals to their menagerie.
The SSPCA’s first inspection uncovered distressed dogs living in tiny cages among several cats, with various other species kept in enclosures – all coexisting in the couple’s lounge.
The hallway of the flat was covered in plastic sheeting caked in diarrhoea and urine.
The SSPCA inspector said it was obvious there were serious animal welfare issues but the Symons seemed oblivious to her concerns.
Five-year-old Yorkie Bono Bono had an ear and eye infection, dental disease, oily skin and a penis infection
Prosecutor Lydia Ross told the court: “There were so many animals in this small property. The dogs were barking and rocking the cages intensely, which in turn was distressing the other animals.”
The couple signed over ownership of 13 animals – including bearded dragons, cats, dogs and snakes – to the SSPCA for rehoming.
Two days later the SSPCA took a further 39 pets into their care after the couple were persuaded they had too many animals to look after properly. The rescued pets included cats, kittens, dogs, rabbits, chinchillas, gerbils, small birds and a parrot. The couple had attempted to hide a litter of kittens in the bathroom but these too were signed over.
It was agreed at this stage that the couple could keep two dogs and two cats.
During a return visit on September 30, 2020, inspectors discovered the Symons had acquired another seven animals – kittens, rabbits, budgies and a degu.
The couple agreed to relinquish the new pets.
A vet confirmed that several of the animals had been caused unnecessary suffering while in the Symons’ care, with their poor living conditions being a major factor.
Concerned that the couple would go on to acquire more animals, the inspector reported them to Aberdeen City Council’s housing department.
Local authority officials advised the SSPCA that the couple had “learning difficulties” and were “vulnerable”.
A dog in the Symons’ care was severely malnourished
The SSPCA initially decided to work with the couple to help them look after animals rather than prosecute them.
The Crown Office agreed with the approach, suggesting social workers be appointed to assist.
SSPCA inspectors returned to the Symons’ home five months later and made some grim discoveries.
The court was told: “On entering the stairwell of the tenement, there was a strong smell of cat urine”.
They found an empty chinchilla cage but the couple said they no longer had it.
Nearby was a small cage housing seven adult and mixed-sex guinea pigs. The cage was designed to house just two guinea pigs. No food, water or appropriate bedding had been provided for the animals.
All of the guinea pigs had sores on their feet, caused by living in a dirty and over-populated space.
The couple also had a new dog – a Staffordshire bull terrier-type named Jinks.
Further searches of the flat revealed even more animals, including a hamster that was found in good condition but in a dirty cage.
Cats were hidden in two bedroom cupboards.
Some of the animals appeared scared.
The inspector told the couple of her “disappointment at finding such an amount of animals again” after supporting the pair.
“At this point, Victoria and John Symon refused to sign over ownership of any animals into the care of the Scottish SPCA.”
The animals were therefore seized and the Symons were formally cautioned.
The local authority housing department withdrew permission for the couple to keep any pets in the flat.
Veterinary examination of the latest rescued pets uncovered a catalogue of neglect, with many of them being underfed and left to suffer a variety of ailments.
All the cats had highly transmissible ear mites, with the owners’ original two suffering the most severe infestation.
Both had small lacerations just inside their ears, which would have been caused by them scratching.
The Symons would have been aware that their cats had itchy ears and failed to seek veterinary treatment, the vet claimed.
The cats that were taken in had also not been fed enough to maintain an ideal body weight.
They had soiled fur, due to them having diarrhoea.
A one-year-old chihuahua cross named Marshall was thinner than ideal.
A five-year-old male Yorkie called Bono had an ear and eye infection, dental disease, oily skin and a penis infection.
“Bono’s skin and penis infection were visible to his owners and they all needed medical treatment,” the fiscal added.
“His owners caused him unnecessary suffering by not seeking medical treatment.”
Three of the dogs removed from the Symons in September 2020, were emaciated and had multiple health conditions.
All the dogs had dirty, sparse coats – stained with urine – and some were matted with dried faeces.
Two of the dogs had wounds on their bodies that were consistent with bite wounds from another dog.
John Symon with neglected Yorkie Bono
John Symon admitted three charges of causing an animal unnecessary suffering and two charges of failing to meet the needs of an animal.
Victoria Symon admitted one charge of causing an animal unnecessary suffering.
Mr Symon’s defence agent Stuart Murray said a psychiatric report into his client had been “hard-hitting”.
“It puts Mr Symon in the very lowest percentile of cognitive function. That, perhaps, impacts his behaviour in relation to the matter in court today.
“He presents as a man who is very amiable, likeable and always smiling as a happy-go-lucky character.
“In his mind, he loved the animals. He took too many of the animals in because, as he put it, people wanted him to look after animals for them.
“It’s very clear it was all with good intent but there was an inability to deal with the difficulties in keeping so many animals.”
He added: “There was no malicious intent. What we have here is a man who was doing his best, took on too much and had no insight into his inability to care for those animals.
“What is required for Mr Symon is education in life skills and how they are applied in the real world.”
‘Defence agent Shane Campbell, representing Victoria Symon, echoed the sentiments of Mr Murray.
“She also required assistance and support,” he added.
Sheriff Margaret Hodge told John Symon: “It appears to me that a large number of animals were caused suffering by you neglecting them.
“From the reports, it seems you haven’t really accepted responsibility for what you did. I do understand you have problems and you may not fully have understood the extent of the suffering you inflicted on those animals – but you did inflict it.
“You ignored poor conditions, illness and signs of infection. You kept them in a condition that was bound to end in death if not illness.”
She told his wife: “You ignored the significant infections and suffering of your own dog. I do accept you too have a lack of insight, which is not necessarily your fault”.
She said both of them were “unable to ever understand fully” their offending.
Speaking about the case SSPCA inspector Fiona McKenzie, said: “I tried on several occasions to work with John and Victoria Symons in relation to their animals. Initially a number of animals were removed reducing them to an acceptable number of two dogs and two cats. Both the Symons disregarded advice given and continued to accumulate multiple animals.
“During these investigations a total of 76 animals were removed from the two-bedroom flat. These animals included dogs, cats, kittens, rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas, gerbils, a parrot and various small birds.
“On searches of the property cats were found hidden within pet carriers in cupboards and kittens found under dirty laundry.
“The smell within the property was horrendous due to the amount of animal’s excrement. It was so bad it could be smelt in the communal landing. These animals were extremely stressed and in ill health due to such poor living conditions.
“I was extremely disappointed with the owners in this case of neglect as we made every effort to try and help the couple initially. The continuing neglect and suffering being caused to animals resulted in a case reported to the procurator fiscal.
“The Symons could have easily prevented their animals from suffering by providing adequate nutrition and seeking veterinary treatment for their medical conditions.
“I feel the lifetime ban on owning or keeping any animals handed to both John and Victoria Symons on 22nd February 2023 is a justified outcome for the suffering these animals had to endure.”
Sentencing | one-year supervision order. Lifetime ban from keeping animals.
CONVICTED (2023) | hare coursing gang Joseph Smith, born c. 1984, of Lower Heath Caravan Park, Watery Lane, Stourport-on-Severn DY13 9PR, Michael Toogood, born c. 1996, of the Paddocks, Warrant Road, Stoke on Tern, Market Drayton TF9 2DZ, and Ben Evans, born c. 1999, of Pigeon Door, Ryton, Shrewsbury SY5 7NQ
Convicted for hare coursing: L-R Ben Evans, Joseph Smith, Michael Toogood
Travellers Michael Toogood, Joseph Smith and Ben Evans (who has previous for dog cruelty alongside wife Alexandra Evans) were prosecuted for trespassing with intent to search for or to pursue hares with dogs.
Joseph Smith from Stourport. WorcestershireSmith and a hare-coursing chum Micheal Mongan share some memoriesMichael Toogood from Market Drayton, ShropshireBen and Alexandra Evans from Ryton, near Shrewsbury, Shropshire
The trio pleaded guilty to the offence on 21 February 2023 and were sentenced.
The offence occurred on 28 October 2022, when the three men trespassed onto farmland in Letcombe Bassett, Wantage, Oxfordshire.
They had four lurcher type dogs and were looking for hares.
They were each fined £500, and have to pay £85 in costs and £200 in surcharge.
CONVICTED (2023) | David Hilden, born 11 July 1983, of the travellers site in Lathams Way, Croydon CR0 4XP and Tyron Young, born c. 1997, of Bolton Drive, Morden SM4 6GF – for poaching offences.
Convicted for ‘poaching’: wildlife persecutors Tyron Young (left) and David Hilden
David Hilden and Tyron Young, who are both members of the travelling fraternity, were stopped by police officers while walking with four dogs across crop fields near Littlebury, Saffron Walden, Essex, on October 15, 2022. Two of the dogs were lurchers on slip leads.
There were no public footpaths in the area and the landowner had not given the men permission to be on the land.
The pair had had travelled to the area from south London with dogs which were to be used to poach game.
When interviewed by officers at the scene, Hilden said he had gone on to the land to pursue rabbits, while Young claimed to be walking his dog.
Pic: Essex Police
In court both men admitted a charge of daytime trespass in pursuit of game. In addition to a financial penalty, the men were banned from owning or keeping dogs for three years.
The banning order was the first made under section 66 of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022,. The act means people can be handed disqualification orders for certain poaching offences and pursuing hares with dogs.
Investigating officer Pc Nigel Wright, of Essex Police’s Rural Engagement Team, said: “The poaching of wild animals is extremely cruel but it can also cause a lot of damage to crops and farmland, which is very costly for the land owner or farmer.
Sentencing | Hilden: ordered to pay a total of £273 in fine, costs and surcharge. Young: ordered to pay £385 in total. Both were banned from owning or keeping dogs for three years (expires February 2026).
CONVICTED (2023) | irresponsible backyard breeder and wildlife persecutor Anthony Andrew Searl, born 9 October 1987, of Green Meadow Drive, Tongwynlais, Cardiff CF15 7LU – kept seven ‘hunting’ dogs in disgusting conditions without food and water.
Bloodsports fanatic Anthony Searl was prosecuted for animal cruelty after two of his seven dogs escaped and one was knocked down.
Police Community Support Officers (PCSO) came across the dogs while on patrol and local enquiries led them to Anthony Searl.
Officers attended Searl’s home and discovered a skeletal whippet locked in a cupboard, without any food or water and covered in her own faeces.
Three terrier puppies were locked in another room while their mother was in a bathroom. All of the dogs were kept in the same atrocious conditions.
Searl was arrested, and the seven dogs were taken to the vets.
The terriers were passed into the care of a local rescue while the whippets needed further veterinary treatment for injuries and malnutrition. Happily they too were nursed back to health and can also be rehomed.
Searl admitted causing unnecessary suffering to animals.
Sentencing | 12-month jail term suspended for 18 months. Banned from keeping animals for 10 years (expires February 2033).
CONVICTED (2023) | Carl Harwood, born 15 April 1995, of Lowerhouse Lane, Burnley BB12 6HZ* – goaded two dogs into fighting a badger and filmed the carnage.
Police discovered disturbing footage showing a fight between two dogs and a badger on the phone of an associate of Carl Harwood. The unnamed man and Harwood were being investigated in relation to another matter.
The dogs, including a 14-month-old bull lurcher called Toby, were seen attacking the badger on the head, throat and back, with a male voice encouraging them on.
Bull lurcher Toby dog was left with more than 30 puncture wounds from illegal badger baiting
Following an investigation, RSPCA inspector Lyndsey Taylor, along with the charity’s Special Operations Unit (SOU) and Lancashire Police’s Ribble Valley Rural Task Force visited the defendants’ house on October 19 2021.
Magistrates heard how they went into the living room and saw Toby being held on a lead by Harwood.
The dog, who was wearing the same type of collar as that seen in the mobile phone footage, had a significant scar which ran lengthwise along almost the entire length of the top of his head.
On the left hand side of the lower jaw and surrounding area there were 22 individual scarred puncture wounds and on the right hand side there were nine. More recent scarring and scabbing was seen underneath his left hind paw and lower leg.
Harwood told the officers they’d been sustained while out lamping and ratting.
Toby was seized by the police and taken into RSPCA care and seen by a vet. He was subsequently microchipped, vaccinated and treated for fleas and worms.
Harwood with partner Poppy Duckworth who sees no wrong in his evil-doings
In her evidence to the court, inspector Taylor described the mobile phone footage.
She said: “It was filmed in the dark but two dogs can be seen attacking a badger as initially, when the recording begins, a bright light can be seen being shone on the animals.
“The footage is very difficult to watch and to listen to, it is absolutely horrific. All the way through the footage the badger can be heard screaming in pain and it is extremely distressed, with the dogs heard panting also.
“At around eight seconds, when Toby has lost interest and has left the badger, a male voice can be heard to say something like ‘here Toby, Toby get it, get it.’
“The dog can then be seen joining the first dog in attacking the badger again.
“The men heard to be present during the recording made no attempt or effort to get the dogs under control and prevent them from fighting and attacking the badger.”
Her colleague, inspector Chris Haywood told the court: “In 34 years of dealing with dogs I have never seen these types of injuries on any other breeds other than lurchers, bull lurchers and terriers and known them to be caused by any other means than by a badger.”
A vet who examined Toby on 20 October, 2022, told the court the scars represented skin injuries that had healed and therefore occurred at least four weeks prior to his examination.
“In my opinion, Toby would have been caused to suffer in the absence of timely and appropriate veterinary care at the time of skin injury,” he said.
“With regards to the video footage, the person present at the time the two dogs were attacking the badger failed to take reasonable steps to intervene and bring the dog under close control in order to prevent him from continuing to fight with the badger, thereby failing to protect these animals from injury, pain and suffering.”
The court was told that Harwood said he didn’t think there was anything wrong with the footage – although he knew it was illegal – and didn’t believe that his dog required veterinary treatment for his injuries.
He also denied having an encounter with a badger, any involvement with injuring or killing one and said he didn’t believe it was Toby in the footage. He couldn’t explain why the scarring on his dog may not have matched the injuries that would be sustained from going ‘ratting’ with him.
Harwood was found guilty of one offence contrary to the Protection of Badgers Act 1991 and admitted a second charge relating to the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
Sentencing Harwood, District Judge Alexander Boyd told him: “Setting a dog on a badger to injure it is not a sport, it is wilful cruelty.
“The fact that you videoed it and kept it on your phone would suggest to me that you took pleasure from what you did to that badger using your own dog.
“That makes these offences even worse than they already are.”
An arrest warrant has been issued for another man in relation to the case.
Speaking after sentencing, inspector Taylor said: “Illegal badger baiting causes significant pain, suffering, huge distress and even death to the animals involved, all for the enjoyment of people who take part in it and shockingly, find pleasure in such activities.
“We would urge anyone with information about incidents like this to report them to the RSPCA or their local rural crime team.” An arrest warrant has been issued for another man in relation to the case.
Toby has recovered well in RSPCA care and the charity hopes to rehome him in due course. The whereabouts and owner of the other dog seen in the video are unknown.
Sentencing | 16-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months; 150 hours of unpaid work; costs of £500; three-month curfew from 8pm to 8am. Disqualified from keeping any animals for five years (expires February 2028).
Carl Harwood’s accomplice, failed jockey Brandon Lawlor who’s originally from Ireland, was sentenced to eight weeks in prison for his part in the attack on the badger and the video made of the kill.
Lawlor now lives at 16 Cobden Street, Padiham, Burnley BB12 8DS.
CONVICTED (2023) | Richard Bailey, born c. 1967, of Sugar Stubbs Lane, Banks, Southport PR9 8DD – hit a puppy repeatedly with a metal stick during a drunken rage.
Bailey, who has a history of violence, was found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal in addition to one count of assault and one count of using threatening language or behaviour to cause harassment or distress.
The incident took place on July 7, 2022, at the Chepstow Castle pub on County Road, Liverpool. Bailey, accompanied by a four-month-old puppy called Shadow, was drinking at the bar but after several pints became irate. As the dog grew restless, Bailey shouted at him and pulled aggressively on his lead.
After Bailey took the dog to the bathroom, barmaid Winifred O’Neill heard the dog yelping in pain. A customer went into the bathroom to investigate and saw Bailey holding his metal walking stick above his head and the dog cowering below.
The customer tried to intervene and told him to stop hitting the puppy, but Bailey shouted “none of your business”, and carried on hitting the dog. He then started swinging the stick at other customers.
In the commotion, Bailey hit Ms O’Neill over the head with the stick, causing a small bruise. When she told him she was calling the police, he responded “I don’t give a f***”.
He continued shouting abuse, throwing punches and swinging his stick around at customers.
Michelle Dwyer, who was familiar with Bailey and his dog, entered the pub and tried to calm him down, but was unsuccessful. Ms Dwyer said Bailey threatened to burn her house down. As he had previously told her he knew how to build a bomb, she was concerned for her safety.
Eventually, members of the public managed to get the dog away from Bailey, and he left the scene. Ms O’Neill informed police they were no longer needed.
However, shortly after, Bailey returned shouting “where is my f***ing dog”, before picking up glasses from behind the bar and holding them above his head as if he was going to throw them.
He continued to swing his walking stick at other customers, before they got him out of the bar again and police arrived.
The puppy has since been fostered into a new home.
Bailey’s lawyer told the court his client currently lives in a caravan with no running water or electricity and has mental health issues.
Bailey pictured in 2012
Sentencing Bailey, District Judge Wendy Lloyd told him: “I am glad that this case has had a happy ending in that this puppy has been fostered.
“You apparently still see yourself as a victim in this. You used a stick on a woman and a dog.
“You showed no love to this animal, just anger, I am bewildered that anyone who knew you gave you a dog.”
Sentencing | six months’ imprisonment suspended for 18 months; £200 in costs, £150 compensation to each victim, plus a £154 surcharge; 30 rehabilitation days; restraining order. Banned from owning any animal for the rest of his life.
CONVICTED (2023) | Dianne Cox, born c. 1958, of Churchill Flats, Pool-in-Wharfedale, Otley LS21 1LS – left three horses to suffer with overgrown hooves and lice infestations.
Pepsi
Sam, a 19 to 21 year old chestnut thoroughbred gelding, Pepsi a 17 to 23 year old bay thoroughbred mare and Tony, a piebald Shetland gelding aged around 17 years old – were living in hazardous conditions in a field off School Lane, Wike, in West Yorkshire back in April 2020.
Sam was found to be in lean to poor bodily condition with his ribs, hips and pelvis visible. His hooves were severely overgrown, splayed and cracked, causing him to trip on both front feet when he walked. He was also lame and suffering from laminitis, an extremely painful inflammatory foot condition.
Sam’s hooves were in urgent need of farrier treatment
Pepsi was similarly malnourished, while Tony had suffered patchy hair loss as a result of an untreated lice infestation, a condition which was present in all three animals.
The horses’ owner, Dianne Cox, had denied neglecting the horses but was found guilty of two animal welfare offences following a trial on January 14, 2022.
The court heard how RSPCA inspector Kris Walker visited the field on April 12, 2022 following concerns for the horses’ welfare.
Grazing at the site was extremely sparse, fencing was in a state of disrepair and loops of sheep netting and loose barbed wire had the potential to cause injury.
The horses were seized by police on the advice of a vet who attended the location.
Sam
The court heard Cox had previously been warned by RSPCA officers in 2018 and 2019 about the condition of her horses and given notices to improve their welfare but had failed to heed advice.
A vet who gave evidence at the trial said the horses had suffered because Cox had failed to take preventative health care measures to protect them from pain, injury, suffering and disease.
In mitigation the trial was told that Cox had 30 years’ experience of breeding horses and had appropriate qualifications.
Cox’s solicitor said the offence had arisen because of her considerable difficulty in locating a farrier. He said there was evidence she had one booked for April 20 – eight days after the horses were removed from the field – and that she was also purchasing regular food from an agricultural supplier.
She was banned from keeping equines for 24 months and a deprivation order was imposed on the horses.
Cox appealed her conviction and sentence at Leeds Crown Court shortly after the trial concluded but abandoned it on January 26, 2023.
Now the RSPCA – which has met the cost of caring for the horses at a private equine facility since the start of the investigation – can legally begin the process of rehoming them.
Little Shetland Tony after being nursed back to health
Inspector Walker said: “After nearly three years, we’re pleased that this long-running case has finally concluded and we can, at last, start to find permanent new homes for Sam, Pepsi and Tony.
“The contrasting pictures of the horses now and then speak for themselves, and we’d like to say a huge thanks to the staff at the equine yard who have supported them on what has been a very long journey.
It’s clear that once they started to receive appropriate nutrition, endoparasite care and dental treatment, they started to go from strength to strength, although Sam is likely to be permanently lame to some degree and will need closely monitoring for the rest of his life due to the chronic neglect of his hooves.”
Sentencing | banned from keeping equines for 24 months (expires February 2025).
