CONVICTED (2023) | Bradlea Ann Clay, born c. 1996, previously of Landrew Road, St Austell PL25 3UQ, but now thought to be in Tickhill, Doncaster, South Yorkshire – punched and kicked a poor pony that was struggling under the weight of her daughter and left two poorly rabbits starving in their own filth.
Mother-of-three Clay pleaded guilty to three animal welfare charges.
The court heard how Clay’s next door neighbour could see from her bathroom window into a field outside. One day she heard a lot of shouting and looked out to see Clay’s daughter on a pony.
Clay was shouting at her daughter and the pony before she punched the pony several times and aggressively grabbed the reins. The pony didn’t want the child on his back and was ducking his head. Clay then walked over and kicked at the pony before punching him on his jaw.
The RSPCA was contacted and attended and when inspectors arrived they found two severely underweight rabbits. They were on wet hay and one of the rabbits had a parasitic condition which would have been easily treated.
The rabbits had to be euthanised and the cause of death was poor diet and environmental conditions.
Sentencing Clay, Judge Simon Carr said: “Those who choose to take on the responsibility for animals take on an enormous task. They are responsible for making sure they are safe, well fed and properly treated. You failed in all of these tasks.
“To hit an animal is unforgivable and shows poor character.”
Judge Carr said the rabbits had “just been ignored”, adding: “If you can’t look after animals you take them to a sanctuary, not leave them to die which is what you did.”
It was reported that the pony is “under different care”.
Sentencing | four-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months. Five-year order banning her from taking on new animals. She is allowed to keep her pet bulldog due to his age as well as mice and fish.
Additional Information
We understood that Bradlea Clay’s conviction in relation to rabbits and a pony are, according to one local, “the tip of the iceberg.” In a Facebook comment, they wrote that Clay “owned sheep, cattle, ponies, rabbits, ferrets, chickens, ducks, geese, quail, guinea pigs dogs and cats. With little income and definitely no knowledge of animal husbandry whatsoever, these creatures died/escaped, starved one by one.”
Another wrote: “She kept her horses nearby from where I lived. She left them for days without checking on them. They had no food and water. She still has cattle which are not looked after and are left for days with no food. She claims she’s knows about farming but she hasn’t got a clue. She should never have animals again.”
Wth. She should have all removed. And should be banned for life. I had 2 beautiful rabbits. And I took them to a sanctuary and they was rehomed to a good home.
A curse to any unfortunate animal she gets her creepy hands on.