CONVICTED (2016) Janet Melland, born 9 February 1947, and son Anthony Melland, born 1 December 1970, of Beechcroft Cottage, Flagg, Buxton SK17 9QE – kept horses and dogs in conditions of filth and squalor.
The Mellands were hit with the lifetime disqualification after five horses were left in two dirty and humid shipping containers on their farm for at least 22 hours a day.
Anthony Melland pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a miniature Shetland pony called Robin. He also admitted failing to provide five equines, Robin, Alana, Vienna, Kiara and Victor, with a suitable environment.
Janet Melland pleaded guilty to failing to provide three dogs, Spot, Mini and Ruby, with a suitable environment.
Prosecutor Kevin Worthington said an RSPCA inspector and a vet visited the Mellands’ Greatlow Farm on Ashbourne Road, Flagg, on February 10, 2016, and found two ‘large shipping containers’.
Inside one were two Shetland ponies including Robin who was in a ‘very poor body condition’ and had ‘nasal discharge’.
Another container, housing mares and a foal with overgrown hooves, was covered with faeces and had poor ventilation.
The inspector and vet then went inside the Mellands’ home and found three dogs in a ‘filthy, dirty’ area covered with faeces.
RSPCA inspector Heather Morris, who investigated the case, said: “When we visited the farm in February, we found two Shetland ponies, Robin and Alana, being kept in a plastic shipping container which was extremely humid inside and with no fresh air.
“It was very small, there was no hay and the water was dirty. Additionally, the floor of the container was absolutely soaking and Robin was very skinny.
“We also found two adult cob horses and a cob foal – Vienna, Kiara and Victor – in a metal shipping container. “The conditions in this container were just as horrific.
“In interview, it was admitted that the horses were shut away in the containers for at least 22 hours a day.
“On top of that, we also found three dogs – a Jack Russell, a poodle-type and a border terrier – living in an outhouse, covered in faeces and with no clean water. “It was absolutely appalling that the animals were shut away in these horrific conditions.
“The containers were humid and absolutely stunk. For them to be locked away for that period of time with no fresh air is absolutely horrendous.”
Allana found a new home through World Horse Welfare’s rehoming scheme, while Victor, Vienna and Kiara were still with the charity undergoing rehabilitation.
Robin had to be put down after a few weeks at Penny Farm as he failed to respond to treatment for dental problems and a sinus infection.
The three dogs — Spot, Mini and Ruby — were rehomed by the RSPCA.
Inspector Morris added: “We worked together with World Horse Welfare, Derbyshire police and the local trading standards in this case and we are very grateful for their help.”
Sentencing |
Anthony Melland: six-week prison sentence suspended for 12 months, 150 hours of unpaid work, £400 costs.
Janet Melland: 16-week curfew, £400 costs.
Both banned from keeping horses for life.
Buxton Advertiser
Horse and Hound
Additional Information
In September 2021 Anthony Melland was stung by a paedophile hunting group for the third time for online sexual grooming of a child.
When the group turned up at Melland’s farm to confront him with their evidence, they caught him in his van masturbating while chatting to a child on the internet.
The group said that Melland had discussed bestiality with their decoy and the possibility of involving a child in that kind of depraved activity.
The group described Melland as “a very dangerous man” and warned parents to check their children’s devices for the name ‘Smith Mark’.
During a previous visit to Melland’s farm by paedophile hunting group Predator Exposure in February 2019 several dogs were found apparently living in squalid conditions. The group reported the matter to the RSPCA but it’s unknown if Melland ever faced further prosecution for animal cruelty.