Case Summary
Sick, elderly and vulnerable horses sent to MHS Horse Disposal for humane euthanasia were instead left to suffer in appalling conditions.
Environmental health officers and the RSPCA found carcass bins overflowing, equines left loose in fields in distress, and other animals — including a blind duck with a broken leg and an injured turkey — kept in filthy, untreated conditions.
Several horses were so underweight and neglected that vets ordered immediate euthanasia.
The business operates from Streetway Farm in Norton Canes, Cannock, Staffordshire, a site already known for serious animal welfare concerns due to its long‑standing association with circus big cats kept in cramped, inadequate conditions.
The defendants’ neglect occurred in a commercial setting where animals should have had a dignified end.
Offender Overview
Robert Walker
- Name: Robert Walker
- Born: 10 October 1946
- Age at Conviction: 79
- Last Known Address: Friezland Lane, Brownhills, Walsall WS8 7DA
- Occupation: Co‑owner/operator, MHS Horse Disposals
- Previous Convictions: Unknown
- Additional Information: Elderly; mitigation referenced poor health.
Lynne Chetter
- Name: Lynne Chetter
- Born: 11 October 1961
- Age at Conviction: 64
- Last Known Address: Friezland Lane, Brownhills, Walsall WS8 7DA
- Occupation: Co‑owner/operator, MHS Horse Disposals
- Previous Convictions: Unknown
- Additional Information: Owned the duck and turkey found suffering at the site.
Incident Details
MHS Horse Disposal operates from Streetway Farm, Watling Street, Cannock WS11 8LX, a location with a long history of animal welfare controversy.
The farm previously housed circus lions and tigers belonging to the Chipperfield family, kept in cramped cages on trailers beside the M6 toll road.
Investigations by Animal Defenders International documented big cats confined to grubby transport containers, limited exercise, muddy quagmire conditions, and inadequate space — all while the site also hosted an abattoir marked “MHS Horse Disposal.”
This background reflects a pattern of poor welfare standards at the premises.
On 5 July 2024, environmental health officers and the RSPCA attended the knacker yard and found:
- Body bins overflowing with carcasses, forcing horses intended for euthanasia to be left loose on fields in distress.
- Ernie, a dark bay stallion, severely underweight, suffering hoof issues, and with no teeth — euthanised immediately.
- Beach, another stallion, extremely thin with ribs and spine visible; later diagnosed with motor neuron disease and euthanised.
- Four more underweight equines left grazing in fields:
- Elizabeth (elderly mare)
- Buttercup (bay filly)
- Two Shetland ponies with severe hoof deformities
- One Shetland’s back hooves had twisted like corkscrews, spiralling around despite her still being mobile.
- A blind duck with a broken right leg left in a filthy hutch.
- A turkey with a large untreated wound on its back.
- Both birds were euthanised at the scene.
A vet concluded all equines had suffered due to inadequate environment, diet, body condition, dental neglect, hoof neglect, parasitic issues, and lack of timely euthanasia.
The sentencing judge described the conditions as “appalling” and the neglect as “prolonged”, occurring in a commercial setting where animals should have had a dignified end.
Animal Victims
- Ernie — dark bay stallion; underweight; hoof issues; no teeth; euthanised immediately.
- Beach — stallion; extremely thin; motor neuron disease; euthanised.
- Elizabeth — elderly mare; overgrown hooves; dental issues left untreated for two years; euthanised after a year in RSPCA care due to lameness.
- Buttercup — bay filly; underweight; lameness; euthanised months later.
- Two Shetland ponies — severe hoof deformities; both euthanised.
- Blind duck — broken leg; filthy hutch; euthanised.
- Turkey — large untreated back wound; euthanised.
Fate of animals: Multiple equines euthanised due to suffering; others died or were euthanised after rescue due to chronic neglect.
Sentence
Court
Stafford Crown Court
Date
17 September 2026
Penalty
- Robert Walker:
- 15 months’ imprisonment, suspended for 24 months
- 12‑year disqualification from owning all animals except dogs
- 15 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days
- £187 victim surcharge
- £200 costs
- Lynne Chetter:
- 10 months’ imprisonment, suspended for 24 months
- 12‑year disqualification from owning all animals except dogs
- 15 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days
- £187 victim surcharge
- £200 costs
Mitigation
Walker: elderly, poor health.
Chetter: limited mitigation noted; responsible for birds found suffering.
RSPCA Statement
Inspector Laura Baker described the scene as “horrifying”, with vulnerable horses left alive and suffering despite being sent for humane euthanasia. She emphasised that knacker yards must be held accountable for the way they conduct their business and cannot leave animals waiting to be dispatched in pain. She thanked Cannock Chase District Council and West Midlands Police for enabling the prosecution.
World Horse Welfare Field Officer Charlotte Melvin said the case “really stands out” due to the heartbreaking discovery of horses trusted to the yard for humane euthanasia who were instead left alive and suffering considerably.
