CONVICTED (2016) | Fiona Jane Hume, born 10/06/1988, of Inworth Road, Feering, Braintree CO5 9SE – left five horses to starve at DIY livery yard
Hume failed to feed her horses properly, leaving them so weak, skinny and starving that one was barely able to stand.
RSPCA officers who brought the prosecution against Hume have expressed shock at the way the five animals had been left to starve at a DIY livery yard in Inworth.
Ten-year-old grey Shetland Misty, 18-year-old bay Shetland Chocolate, six-year-old liver chestnut thoroughbred Zebedee, 20-year-old bay thoroughbred Keira and 22-year-old palomino Arab Charlie were all signed over to the RSPCA.
RSPCA inspector Caroline Richardson said: “We were called to the yard in April this year on an entirely separate matter when we came across these horses and ponies.
“Three were given body condition scores of zero out of five, while two were rated as 0.5 out of five.
“They were so skinny. One of the ponies could barely stand, she was absolutely skeletal.
“I couldn’t speak when I saw them because it was so bad, I was totally shocked.”
Inspector Richardson added: “As well as their awful condition, four of the horses had worms and two had skin problems caused by untreated lice.
“To let these horses get into such a shocking state is inexcusable and I hope that they will now go on to live out their days in wonderful, loving homes – with lots of grass to eat and hay to munch.”
Sentence: eight-week jail term, suspended for one year; 80 hours of unpaid work; total of £380 costs and charges. Banned from keeping horses and ponies for five years (expired November 2021)
How come nobody at the Livery Yard, noticed this before hand.