CONVICTED (2018) | Lynda Spalding, born c. 1961, of Sparks Way, Highbridge TA9 3QL – left two horses to suffer in agony with horrendous untreated injuries.
Spalding pleaded guilty to three charges under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
Concerns had been raised by members of the public about the welfare of the two horses and when RSPCA officers responded they found the animals had suffered deep wounds to their forelimbs.
Spalding was found to be the owner of the horses and pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to two horses and failing to provide veterinary care for the animals.
The Highbridge resident was also in breach of a five-year disqualification order which had banned her from owning horses until 2019.
Spalding used baby’s nappies, plastic bags and sellotape to protect the horses’ leg wounds and called a ‘knacker’s man’ instead of a vet.
Both horses had to be put to sleep because of the severity of their untreated injuries.
RSPCA inspector Hayley Lawrence who investigated alongside her colleague inspector Marie Griffiths told Somerset Live: “This was a very distressing case where horses were left to suffer needlessly as a result of irresponsible ownership and lack of care.
“These two horses were both left with serious injuries to their front legs for which no veterinary attention was sought.
“Lynda Spalding was also in breach of a disqualification order, having been previously prosecuted and convicted of cruelty towards horses in 2014.
“Courts impose disqualification orders on people convicted on animal welfare offences to protect further animals from suffering and it is saddening that she ignored that order and went on to cause further suffering to these poor horses.
“We are grateful to the member of the public who contacted us. We depend on the public to be our eyes and ears and we take breaches of bans very seriously – as do the courts.”
Sentencing: Jailed for 18 weeks. £815 in court costs. Lifetime ban on keeping horses.