CONVICTED (2018) | equine business owner Jane Elizabeth Hunt, born 24 April 1966, of Saddlestones, Littleham, Bideford, EX39 5HW – failed to treat her horse’s weight loss and hoof abscess.
Hunt was found guilty on two counts of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal in relation to a horse named Polly.
The first count stated that Hunt had “failed to explore and address the cause of her poor bodily condition”.
The second count specified that she “failed to seek appropriate professional veterinary care for an abscess”.
The court ordered that Hunt should be “deprived ownership” of Polly under section 33 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
However, no order was made to disqualify Hunt from owning horses because “the other horses appear to be in good condition”.
Following the case Torridge District Council have apparently instructed Hunt to close her equestrian business Welcombe Equine on the grounds that this was unlicensed and uninsured.
Sentencing: total of £835 costs and charges; 100 hours of unpaid community work within the next 12 months. No ban.
Update | January 2019
Hunt was ordered to pay £2,000 in fines and costs for operating a riding school without a licence following an investigation by Torridge Council. She was also banned from holding a licence for two years.
Hunt had submitted an application but vets who inspected Welcombe Equine failed to approve the business, saying it “fell seriously short of an acceptable standard on many points”.
Despite being cautioned that she should not operate the riding school until it was compliant, and a fresh application had been granted, the council said that Hunt had continued to advertise her services on Facebook.
Councillor Ken James, lead member for the environment said: “The animal licensing regime exists to ensure the welfare of animals as well as the health and safety of customers using facilities.
“Through her actions Mrs Hunt has shown a blatant disregard for her responsibilities under the law, which has been confirmed in court. Last year, a thoroughbred mare called Polly was removed from Mrs Hunt’s care by the RSPCA after she was found in a “poor body condition” and with a burst abscess above her hoof for which she had “failed to seek appropriate veterinary care”.
Full story: Horse & Hound