CONVICTED (2024) | James Price, born c. 1991. of Taymuir Road, Splott, Cardiff CF24 2QN but with links to the travellers site at Rover Way, Cardiff F24 2RX, Cornwall and the Plympton area of Plymouth – left an abused pony tied up in sunlight without food and water in a car park while he visited a pub.
Price, a traveller, admitted neglecting his pony Coco after leaving her without food or water in Glen Road, Plympton in August 2023.
Coco was later found with sunburn lesions, ragged hooves with nails sticking out, and broken skin where her harness rubbed.
Members of the public visiting a shop were concerned about the young pony’s health and offered her water before reporting their worries to police.
Price, who reportedly bought Coco from a notorious horse trader and alleged abuser Nakita Price of the Rovers Way Travellers Site in Cardiff, left the then two-year-old pony without food or water for hours, leaving her “extremely hungry”.
Officers from Devon and Cornwall Police took her into their care before calling a vet and the RSPCA to investigate further.
The court heard that Coco had been in a poor state of health before the vet arrived and, after being taken to a boarding stable, immediately drank 25 litres of water, with another 25 litres consumed throughout the night.
She also ate steadily throughout the day, after being provided with food by officers.
In their witness statement, the vet described Coco as quiet and lethargic and not behaving as a two year-old pony should.
They said: “She had a thin neck, her coat was dull, her nose had sunburn lesions and there was a sore on the right-hand side where the noseband part of her rope headcollar had been too tight.
“On her lower right hand chest area was an area of broken skin with a scab forming where her driving harness had rubbed. Her hooves were ragged and evidence was seen that she had been recently shod, but there were three nails remaining which were sticking out sideways from her hind feet.”
Coco was also reportedly riddled with louse and mites and her mane was severely matted, causing her pain and discomfort.
Price admitted two offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 in a case brought on by the RSPCA.
RSPCA Inspector Miranda Albinson, who was involved in investigating the case said after sentencing: “I’d like to thank the members of the public for reporting their concerns about Coco to the local police, which allowed us then to be contacted and investigate her suffering.
“Coco was being kept treated in a completely inappropriate way, did not have her basic needs such as food and water provided, and at two years old, was far too young to be driving a cart and being worked. She also did not have a microchip, which is now mandatory for all horses.
“Coco was signed over to our care by Price before the case concluded, and I’m pleased to say she has made a good recovery and is looking for a new home.”
Sentencing | 24-month community order with 20 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days for each of the two offences, to run concurrently; ordered to pay a fine of £200 and £250 costs. Disqualified from owning horses for seven years, with no appeal before five years (expires September 2031).