CONVICTED (2017) | John Henry Mitchell, born c. 1951, of Portman Crescent, Southbourne, Bournemouth BH5 2ER – for the prolonged neglect of four horses found emaciated and riddled with parasites.
Mitchell pleaded guilty to failing to care for the horses’ needs over seven months.
RSPCA chief inspector Paul Williams said the charity had been aware of Mitchell’s animals for almost three years, giving him advice on their welfare “on many occasions”.
Inspector Williams said: “In March this year, the condition of the horses reached the point where we had no choice but to take things further, after Mr Mitchell had failed to act on our advice so many times.
“We called a vet who examined the horses and certified Oreo, Cookie, Cloud and Sky were suffering ‘prolonged neglect’ caused by months of malnutrition. The vet also confirmed that Cookie was suffering chronic lameness and all were infested by parasites.
“These horses would have been extremely uncomfortable from the excessive lice and worm burdens. Their feet were overgrown which would have made walking really painful, and their body condition was completely unacceptable. It is appalling that Mr Mitchell thought it was appropriate to keep horses in this way.
“He told our inspector that because he was working, he only ever attended the horses in the dark in winter, implying he could not see if any were in poor condition or had injuries, but he had given them food so in his opinion, this was acceptable care.”
The RSPCA said the judge had told Mitchell she could have jailed him for the offences but owing to his age and guilty plea, she gave him a community order in the form of a curfew instead.
Mitchell, who represented himself in court, said he had had horses for 52 years and is of a traveller background, adding that he had “sorted” his horses’ feet once a year.
The four ponies were signed over to the RSPCA’s care to be rehabilitated and re-homed.
Sentencing: eight-week curfew; £385 in costs and charges. Lifetime disqualification for owning horses, but can appeal after five years.