CONVICTED (2017) | Natasha Jane Waller, born c. 1992, of Ashby Road, Shepshed, Loughborough LE12 – left a former racehorse to starve in a field with no hay or water
Natasha Jane Waller was found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to the horse, Maisie.
Waller bought the former racehorse in the summer of 2014, but over the next couple of years paid fewer and fewer visits to the thoroughbred.
When the RSPCA got involved in the case, Maisie’s ribs were plainly visible under her skin and she was covered in filth.
The horse was in a field with no hay, no water and with nothing more than hedges to protect her from the elements.
Maisie eventually had to be put to sleep due to her poor health.
RSPCA inspector Alison North said: “We were first called with concerns for Maisie’s welfare in April 2016 and worked with Waller giving lots of advice on properly feeding Maisie to help her gain weight and condition.
“We were pleased Waller seemed to be following this advice but sadly later that year in October (2016) we received further calls to report that Maisie’s condition has worsened again.
“We went out to see Maisie straight away and tragically, found her to be severely emaciated and suffering.
“Sadly, even vets were not able to save Maisie and she was put to sleep on welfare grounds. This was a really upsetting case and Maisie is one of the thinnest horses we had seen — it was a real shock to see her like that.
“It’s incredibly sad to think that earlier that year Waller had followed our advice and started to improve Maisie’s condition, but at some point she stopped and poor Maisie suffered hugely and lost her life as a result.
“As a welfare organisation with more than 800 horses currently in our care, we see the horrible effects of neglect and suffering to animals every day. We rely on the public to be our eyes and ears and report cruelty and suffering to us, and we are grateful to those who contacted us about Maisie so we could do what we could to try and help.”
Sentencing: eight weeks in prison, suspended for two years; £150 surcharge. Banned from keeping equines for seven years (expires August 2024).
THIS COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED, WHERE WAS SHE KEEPING THIS POOR ANIMAL, IT SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN KEPT ON ITS OWN SO OTHERS COULD HAVE HELPED KEEP AN EYE OVER IT. RSPCA these people will always re offend ! the law should give life long bans on people that do this sort of thing think.. in 4 years time she can do it again Maizies suffering will be in vain !! You need to also put in a minder to look over these poor animals to help keep an eye on them .
Im sure their would be plenty of volunteers to help and offer support and advise. think again and re-visit your policies !