Tag Archives: hoof care

Animal Sanctuaries from Hell, Birds, Dogs, donkeys and mules, Equine Abuse, guinea pigs, Hoarders, Lifers, Multiple Species, Other Mammals, rabbits, Small Furries, Worst of the Worst

Bromyard, Herefordshire: Graham Stephens

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CONVICTED (2022) | animal sanctuary owner Graham T Stephens, born 30 July 1960, of Broad Street, Hereford HR7 but with links to Kidderminster – kept ‘rescued’ animals in shocking conditions.

Animal abuser: Graham Stephens from Hereford UK pictured during his court appearance
Graham Stephens pictured during his court appearance

Graham Stephens, co-owner with wife Jayne Stephens of registered charity Little Meadow Animal Rescue (LMAR) in Stoke Bliss, Worcestershire, kept owls, dogs, rabbits, donkeys and other animals in cramped conditions and failed to provide for their needs.

Images from animal sanctuary from hell Little Meadows in Worcestershire, UK

The mistreatment to the animals included failing to provide dental treatment, failing to address heavy lice infestation, failing to provide treatment for bacterial infection, failing to provide veterinary treatment for the eye condition and dental disease and failure to provide drinking water.

The animals were kept in filthy, faeces-covered cages with animals kept close to predators when they should have been kept apart.

Images from animal sanctuary from hell Little Meadows in Worcestershire, UK

The court heard that unnecessary suffering was caused to four grey donkeys, an alpaca, a Chinese Crested dog, two rabbits, a guinea pig, a grey squirrel and four tawny owls.

Prosecuting on behalf of the RSPCA, Lynda Myer said warnings had been given to Stephens in 2020 about the mistreatment of dogs but less than two years later there had been “multiple complaints” from the public to the police about conditions at the sanctuary.

Images from animal sanctuary from hell Little Meadows in Worcestershire, UK

Police, accompanied by the RSPCA, acted on a warrant and visited the sanctuary, leading to Stephens’ arrest.

“The conditions were appalling,” the prosecutor said.

“There were signs significant stress was caused to the animals living in a small area.

“He was entrusted with money from the public to look after these animals.”

Sarah Brady, defending, said Stephens had been suffering from depression and stress while trying to run the charity.

“He has run the charity for 12 years,” Mrs Brady said.

“In 2021 he should have sought help.

“He didn’t because of what was going on in his personal life.

“He regrets that now.”

The solicitor added it was not a case where the defendant had deliberately mistreated animals.

Stephens admitted six charges of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal and two charges of failing the duty of a person responsible for an animal to ensure welfare.

Sentencing | jailed for eight months and banned from owning, keeping or transporting animals in any way, for life. He was told the earliest he could appeal that ban is 2033. He was released on conditional bail pending an appeal against the custodial sentence.

Hereford Times
Daily Mail

Additional Information

Following sentencing, a witness to Stephens’ animal cruelty over many years took to Facebook to write the following account of her experience:

The RSPCA together with the police obtained a warrant and removed 44 animals wo were living in squalor. There were caged dogs and some running around along with caged wildlife including owls, squirrels, rabbits and guinea pigs all living in a static caravan.

The RSPCA inspectors could only stay in the caravan for a few minutes because of the smell of ammonia. The donkeys had laminitis and overgrown hoofs and teeth and were unable to eat.

I personally saw the video and photographic evidence from the RSPCA and broke down in tears over the conditions these animals were forced to live in.

I obtained some small satisfaction by telling him to his face what I thought of him and what he had put the animals through whilst all the time convincing the general public that he was a caring rescue.

I personally had dealings with him and his wife when he was running WFAT [Wyre Forest Animal Trust] in Kidderminster and saw at first hand the appalling neglect the animals which he taken in were suffering. I made many complaints to the RSPCA and all the major welfare animal authorities along with the Charity Commission. Regrettably no one took any action all those years ago and he was allowed to carry on to this present day abusing and mistreating animals.

The case will now go to the Crown Court. The b…d should’ve gone down there and then.

Update | October 2023

Graham Stephens’ appeal was held on Tuesday 10 October 2023, at Hereford Crown Court sitting at Hereford Justice Centre; however it was withdrawn at the end of the hearing.

Images from animal sanctuary from hell Little Meadows in Worcestershire, UK

The sentence imposed from December 2022 has now remained, with an additional £750 of costs included with the sentence.

Stephens will now spend the next eight months in jail. His lifetime ban remains in place but may be reviewed after just 10 years.

Your Herefordshire

Equine Abuse, horse traders, Lifers, riding stables, stud farms and livery yards, Worst of the Worst

Ditton Fields, Cambridge: Sam Duckworth

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CONVICTED (2022) | grand prix dressage rider and horse breeder/trader Sam Duckworth, born July 1980, director of Five Star Stud Ltd, 589 Newmarket Road, Ditton Fields, Cambridge CB5 8PA – convicted of multiple counts of cruelty in relation to five young horses.

Grand prix dressage rider Sam Duckworth was jailed and banned from keeping all animals for life after showing a "cavalier" attitude to animal welfare.
Grand prix dressage rider Sam Duckworth was jailed and banned from keeping all animals for life after showing a “cavalier” attitude to animal welfare.

Duckworth was convicted of causing unnecessary suffering to the three fillies and two colts by failing to investigate and address the cause of their poor body condition and weight loss, and for failing to take steps to meet their needs. He was also found guilty of failing to provide an adequate parasite control plan, required farriery and a suitable diet, and failing to seek veterinary attention in respect of the animals’ poor condition.

Horses abused by dressage rider Sam Duckworth from Cambridge

The charges applied from December 2020 to January 2021, when the horses were seized by the RSPCA from a site in the village of Wichenford, Worcestershire.

Horses abused by dressage rider Sam Duckworth from Cambridge

Prosecutor Sara Pratt said that of the five horses, one was owned by Duckworth while the others were entrusted to his care. Sadly, one of the seized horses died in RSPCA care, having become unwell.

Ms Pratt said: “The prosecutions says Mr Duckworth ignored warnings and professional advice given to him.

“He was dismissive of the RSPCA and the advice he was given by RSPCA vets and his own. We find he failed properly to follow advice on feed and worming.”

Ms Pratt said Duckworth also ignored warnings about the horses’ welfare from the provider of the premises where the horses were kept, Melvin Sanders, and part-time employee Lauren Ball.

Horses abused by dressage rider Sam Duckworth from Cambridge

District judge Ian Strongman said that Mr Sanders was “put upon” by Duckworth to care for the horses.

“[Mr Sanders] did so because he felt for the animals and didn’t want to see them without,” Mr Strongman said.

He added that Ms Ball was highly experienced but only employed for an hour each day, “but she did an awful lot of extra work because she was concerned for the horses’ welfare, and ignored instructions from Mr Duckworth about feeding them,”

Mr Strongman said. “She felt they needed more feed, and but for her, the animals could have been in a worse condition.”

The court heard the horses’ body condition scores were one at 0.5 on the 0-5 scale, three at one and one at 1.5.

Sam Duckworth - horse abuser

Ms Pratt said that Duckworth “displayed what might be called a cavalier attitude to these horses in his care and failed to follow advice given by professionals. ”

She added that his behaviour appeared to be “bordering on arrogance, of knowing better than anyone, so we feel this likely to extend to other animals in his care. He’s simply unable to see his own failings or follow advice.

She concluded: “According to him, he had the financial means to look after the horses but simply chose not to.”

Horses abused by dressage rider Sam Duckworth from Cambridge

Duckworth’s lawyer, Stuart Jessop, argued that the case was serious but not as serious as many that come before court and that his client was “a man of good character” .

He said his client’s neglect of the horses was not prolonged and there was evidence of “ample hay, bedding and feed”.

He conceded that Duckworth “didn’t attend much” but said this was during Covid, which limited his ability to be on the premises.

Jessop said Duckworth’s only income was less than £1,000 per month from his parents, but Mr Strongman rejected this. He said: “I understand … he had about 100 horses and breeding 60-80 foals a year, which he presumably sells. I find him an unreliable witness and I don’t think anything he could say would change my mind.”

There was dispute over the ownership of the horses but Mr Strongman said that as he had not seen sufficient evidence to suggest otherwise, he ruled that all belonged to Duckworth so a deprivation order was made on them.

Horses abused by dressage rider Sam Duckworth from Cambridge

Jailing Duckworth, Mr Strongman said: “It’s one of those cases where appropriate punishment can only be achieved with an immediate custodial sentence.”

Speaking about the case, RSPCA inspector and equine officer Suzi Smith said: “As an experienced horsewoman, it is very difficult for me to see any horses in such poor condition, especially for these youngsters who have been given such a poor start in life, when they should have been receiving professional care.

“It is always frustrating when a horse owner does not follow veterinary advice. It’s unacceptable for anyone to cause an animal to suffer, and particularly someone who is responsible for animals in a professional capacity.”

Sentencing | immediate 18-week prison sentence; ordered to pay £68,860 in costs, including the care of the horses since the seizure. Banned from keeping all animals for life and cannot apply to reverse this for five years.

Horse & Hound

Equine Abuse, horse traders, horses and ponies

Bardney, Lincolnshire: Davina Leedham

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CONVICTED (2022) | Davina Ann Leedham, born c. 1960, currently of no fixed abode – for cruelty to 13 horses.

Horse neglected by Davina Leedham, Lincolnshire. Image source: Lincolnite

Horse trader Leedham failed to explore and address the poor condition of 12 equines, and caused unnecessary suffering to a 13th horse by failing to seek appropriate professional veterinary care to address an infected wound to his leg. She also failed to meet the needs of two horses.

She appeared before Lincoln Magistrates’ Court on October 25, 2022, for sentencing after a trial – heard in her absence in July 2021 – found her guilty.

An arrest warrant without bail was issued following the trial and Leedham was arrested by police in October 2022 and held in custody before being sentenced via video link.

RSPCA inspectors and officers from Bransby Horses attended a location in Branston Fen, Bardney in July 2019, following concerns raised by the police who were in the area dealing with an unrelated matter. A vet was also in attendance.

Horse neglected by Davina Leedham, Lincolnshire. Image source: Lincolnite

There they discovered a large number of horses with many in poor body condition.

Many of those found outside were kept in areas where there was little to no grass available in any of the enclosures and there was no shelter.

Inside a barn were three penned areas housing two ponies and a horse.

A small enclosure housed a chestnut pony in poor bodily condition, with the equine’s spine and pelvis clearly visible and hooves overgrown. The pen was very small and was constructed from a combination of metal gates and wooden pallets, measuring approximately 8ft by ft.

Further into the barn was a slightly larger enclosure with fencing approximately 6-7ft high, giving the pen the appearance of a cage.

Horse neglected by Davina Leedham, Lincolnshire. Image source: Lincolnite

A bay coloured horse in poor bodily condition with ribs, spine and pelvis clearly visible was housed in this pen. This horse stood in the same position throughout, weaving his head from side to side. His hooves were also overgrown.

One horse had an untreated wound on his right quarter.

One colt was in discomfort and pain due to persistent lameness. Very sadly, an independent vet advised he should be put to sleep on welfare grounds.

In mitigation the defendant said that she had failed to attend the trial as her mother had been ill. She claimed that the horse with the leg wound had been under vet treatment.

Speaking after the case, RSPCA inspector Kate Burris said: “The conditions which these horses had been kept in were unacceptable and so many of them were in such poor bodily condition with their ribs visible and overgrown hooves – it was heartbreaking to see.

“We are so very grateful to Bransby Horses for taking on such a large number of horses and I am so pleased that they have all thrived since being in their care.”

Rachel Jenkinson, external welfare manager at Bransby Horses said: “Bransby Horses were able to provide the specialist care and attention these horses needed thanks to the fantastic support we receive from the public and we thank them unreservedly – it doesn’t bear thinking what would have happened were it not for charities like us and the RSPCA.

“Following a long road to recovery 14 of the horses we took in that day have recovered well but the trauma they endured cannot be ignored.”

Sentencing | 20 weeks’ immediate custody; £500 costs. Banned from keeping all animals for 10 years.

The Lincolnite

donkeys and mules, Equine Abuse, horses and ponies

Pontyates, Carmarthenshire: Zoie Burton

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CONVICTED (2022) | donkey breeder Zoie Celena Burton, born April 1983, of 142 Heol Llanelli, Pontyates, Llanelli SA15 5UH – for cruelty to 24 donkeys one of whom had to be put to sleep.

Zoie Burton, co-owner of breeding business Donkeys of Wales with her mother Lynn Burton, who was not prosecuted, pleaded guilty to two offences under the Animal Welfare Act.

These were that she caused unnecessary suffering to 24 donkeys, by failing to ensure adequate hoof care for them and failing to provide a sustainable environment for 22 donkeys and a pony.

Burton was prosecuted following a multi-agency operation in February 2021 where 72 donkeys and one horse were taken into possession by police on welfare grounds..

There were around 100 equines on site during the warrant execution – and following veterinary examinations, 72 donkeys and one horse were taken into possession by police.

One donkey – a rare mammoth named Sue – was crippled by laminitis. After being examined by one of the vets on site, she was put to sleep by the owner’s own vet on welfare grounds.

In one barn, a skewbald female donkey was found with “deformed and twisted” overgrown hooves.

The vet statement said: “There was white line disease and thrush in all four feet due to lack of adequate hoof care and lack of suitable environment.”

A chestnut roan female mammoth donkey was found in the same barn, with its “right hoof rocking laterally due to the overgrowth.” She was weight shifting on her limbs when stood still, and was given pain relief to travel to the donkey sanctuary.

The donkeys were placed into the care of The Donkey Sanctuary, and the pony is now in the care of the RSPCA.

Following more than a year of patient rehabilitation, many of the donkeys are thriving, although some continue to require specialist care and treatment.

Since their arrival, 20 foals have been born to the pregnant mares among the group.

Sentencing | 18-week prison sentence – suspended for two years. 25 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days; £1,128 in costs and victim surcharge. 10-year ban on keeping equines.

Wales Online
South Wales Guardian

Additional Information

We are advised that Zoie Burton was prosecuted by the RSPCA previously though no details of the case are available.

Donkeys of Wales (DoW) made the local papers in January 2020 in relation to the mis-selling of a pony named Arthur. DoW were ordered to pay £459 in compensation to a couple after they bought Arthur, who was misadvertised as a two-year-old colt in good condition. In reality, he was aged between 12 and 12 years and suffering severe dental problems.

Zoie and Lynn Burton have apparently been breeding and selling pygmy goats in the months leading up to the former’s conviction. They have several different usernames on various selling sites. Including Coco1960 and Poo Bear.

Known aliases for Zoie Burton are Nerys Rhys and Paula Howells.

Her partner Luke Alan Rees is also believed to be involved with DoW.

Useful resource: Donkeys of Wales: The Truth.

Trust Pilot reviews of Donkeys of Wales.

Birds, Cats, Dogs, Equine Abuse, farms / smallholdings, Food Production, horses and ponies, Multiple Species, Pet Profiteering, puppy farmers / traffickers, kennels, backyard breeders, Worst of the Worst

Whitchurch, Shropshire: Alison and Kayleigh Bransby

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CONVICTED (2022) | puppy farmers Alison Bransby, born c. 1960, of White House Farm, Hollins Lane, Tilstock, Whitchurch SY13 3NU, and daughter Kayleigh Alice Bransby, born c. 1991, of Green Lane Farm, Tushingham, Whitchurch SY13 4QS – kept 35 dogs among other animals in horrific conditions.

Alison Bransby (left) and daughter Kayleigh Alice Bransby, an NHS worker.

Alison Bransby was jailed for 22 weeks after admitting 17 welfare charges relating to 27 dogs, eight puppies, two cats, a horse, a lamb, a terrapin and an African grey parrot. This included one offence of breeding and selling puppies without a licence.

Her daughter, Kayleigh Bransby, who works for the NHS as a radiographer, admitted nine offences and was given an 11-week jail term, suspended for 12 months.

The court heard how mother and daughter were illegally operating an extensive commercial dog breeding operation at the site and advertised the enterprise on different websites.

Dogs and puppies, which included cavapoos, cockapoos, dachshunds, Cavalier King Charles spaniels, and terriers, were housed in wooden sheds, pens and kennels, some barely bigger than a large rabbit hutch.

The court heard that Alison Bransby had made £150,000 from illegally breeding and selling puppies.

An investigation was launched after people alerted the RSPCA about animals bought from the pair at White House Farm and who had become sick.

A raid by the RSPCA and West Mercia Police discovered dozens of neglected animals, which were suffering disease and other health conditions and without adequate facilities.

These included:

  • Fifteen dogs, some with significant health conditions, living in dark, cluttered and unhygienic conditions with limited access to water and bedding.
  • Eight puppies born to a one-eyed mother dog, found in an outdoor kennel block with no water.
  • Two cats with significant ear disease. Both were put to sleep.
  • A lamb whose lower eyelids had rolled in.
  • A terrapin with a heavily deformed shell living in an enclosure with no UV or heat source
  • An African grey parrot with extensive feather loss living in a filthy cage
  • A thoroughbred mare called Ruby with severely overgrown hooves that had not been treated for at least six months and teeth that had not been seen for two years. Tragically she too was euthanised on the advice of a vet

The animals had been inadequately cared for for at least nine months due to the extent of disease present, a vet said.

One elderly, emaciated King Charles Spaniel, called Teddy, had been used for repeated breeding. He was in such poor condition that he had to be put to sleep to end his suffering.

A vet said that none of the 41 animals that were seized had been provided with a suitable environment.

All but three of the animals have since been rehomed, including a dachshund Eric, who was adopted by a police officer who assisted in the operation.

Kayleigh Bransby with boyfriend Dan Clare, who was originally charged in connection with the puppy farm business.

The court heard that Alison Bransby was suffering from physical and mental health issues during the time of the offences.

Alison Bransby’s son Rob Bransby

Rob Bransby, whom we believe to be Alison Bransby’s son, was also originally charged following the raid, as was Kayleigh Bransby’s boyfriend Dan Clare. It’s not known if they are to be sentenced separately or if the cases against them have been dropped.

Sentencing |
Alison Bransby: jailed for 22 weeks; ordered to pay £42,000 costs. Banned from keeping all animals for life.
Kayleigh Bransby: 11-week custodial sentence, suspended for 12 months; 200 hours of unpaid work; £20,000 costs. 10-year ban on keeping all animals.

Daily Mail
BBC News
Shropshire Star

Update November 2022

Alison Bransby appealed against her conviction and custodial sentence but on Friday 18 November 2022 this was rejected by judges.

The defendant had been reportedly released to live with family members pending the appeal but she is now expected to serve her sentence in full.

Speaking after the hearing, chief inspector Ian Briggs from the RSPCA’s special operations unit, which investigated the illegal selling, said: “We’re pleased this case has finally concluded and that the vast majority of the animals who suffered such terrible neglect are now living happy lives in loving new homes.

“We’d always encourage anyone thinking of getting a puppy to adopt rather than buy, and to do lots of research first to ensure they source a dog responsibly.”

Whitchurch Herald

Update February 2023

Rob Bransby has now been sentenced for his part in the illegal breeding operation. He was given a short custodial term and 15-year ban on keeping dogs. Full details here.

Equine Abuse, horses and ponies, Worst of the Worst

Pontyberem, Carmarthenshire: Stephen Fanstone

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CONVICTED (2022) | Stephen Antony Fanstone, born 14 June 1965, of Heol Aneddfa, Pontyberem, Llanelli SA15 5AB – subjected three horses to at least three years of cruelty and neglect. All three animals put to sleep.

The RSPCA visited Parcnewydd Farm near Pontyberem in Carmarthenshire in April 2022 after it was contacted by charity World Horse Welfare, which had raised serious concerns about three horses being kept there.

On the farm, an inspector saw a chestnut gelding called Muffy and a grey mare called Rosie, both of whom were very thin with their hips, ribs and spines clearly visible.

Muffy weighed just 328 kg compared to the expected weight of between 500kg and 600kg for a horse of his breed and age, while Rosie was found to have an untreated melanoma in her mouth which had been ongoing for months or even years.

Another grey mare, Lily, was overweight and had such severely overgrown hooves that they had curled up off the ground and resembled what the RSPCA described as “Arabian slippers”.

A vet said the length of the hooves were the result of at least three years of growth and that Lily had been “neglected and caused unnecessary suffering for many years”.

The owner of the horses, Stephen Antony Fanstone, said he “hadn’t noticed” the terrible state his animals had got into.

Describing the visit to the farm, RSPCA inspector Keith Hogben, said: “The owner of the horses arrived on site and I explained to him that the animals were in a terrible state. He told me he attended daily and did not notice how poor the horses were and that he had been unable to get a farrier. I explained to him that I thought all of the horses were suffering and that an equine vet was on their way.”

After arriving at the farm, the vet said: “After a brief assessment it was clear that all three horses showed signs of long-term suffering. Muffy had areas of hair loss and crusting over the body, in particular the base of the neck, inner thigh region and around the hocks.

“Lice were visible in these areas and there were clear signs of malnutrition. There was no evidence of an attempt to treat the lice infestation and I would estimate the period of suffering to be at least three months and most likely longer

“Rosie had a poor coat over her entire body with obvious signs of malnutrition and there were signs suggesting the horse had been kept with inadequate shelter and no effort to treat her skin condition. Lily’s hooves appeared extremely overgrown and their condition was clearly inadequate. When questioned the owner had stated he had kept on top of trimming her hooves, but there was no evidence of recent attempts.”

Despite treatment, all three horses were in such poor condition that they were put down on the back of veterinary advice in order to prevent further suffering.

Fanstone admitted three animal welfare charges and was given an 18-week suspended prison sentence and five-year ban on keeping any animals.

Speaking after the case, inspector Hogben said: “It would have been obvious to anyone who was attending to these horses that they all needed urgent veterinary treatment, and if this had been administered sooner, they may still have been alive today. The neglect of these animals was shocking, yet their owner thought there was nothing wrong with them when concerns were first raised with him.

“I’d like to thank World Horse Welfare officer Tony Evans for his assistance with this investigation and his ongoing work to support equine welfare across the region.”

Sentencing | 18-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months; 20-hour Rehabilitation Activity Requirement; £528 in costs and surcharge. Five-year ban on keeping any animals (expires October 2027).

Wales Online
South Wales Guardian
Your Horse

Equine Abuse, horses and ponies

Christchurch, Dorset: Nadine Robinson

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CONVICTED (2022) | Nadine Robinson, born c. 1976, of Fernlea, Christchurch BH 23 1AX – for the extreme neglect of her two horses.

Nadine Robinson with horses she neglected. Picture: Facebook.
Nadine Robinson with Flame and Madison. Picture: Facebook.

The case involved a bay thoroughbred gelding named Madison and a grey Arab gelding named Flame. Both animals were neglected over the course of a year during which

Their owner, Robinson, was charged with failing to take steps to ensure the horses were adequately cared for, which included maintaining an appropriate body condition, providing a suitable diet and drinking water, and ensuring they were wormed and had farriery and hoof care.

Madison
Flame

She also caused unnecessary suffering to Flame by failing to investigate and address the causes of his poor body condition and weight loss.

The court heard the offences involved “extreme neglect” and were committed over a “considerable period of time”, during which both passers by and the RSPCA offered advice and guidance that was ignored by Robinson.

She initially denied the offences, but later changed her plea to guilty.

The fate of Flame and Madison is unknown.

Sentencing | 10-week prison term, suspended for 12 months; three-month curfew; £908 in court charges. Banned from keeping horses for 10 years.

Advertiser & Times

donkeys and mules, Equine Abuse, horses and ponies

Tarbolton, South Ayrshire: Anne Dick

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CONVICTED (2022) | Anne McCrae Dick, born c. 1949, of Rowanmyle House, Tarbolton, Mauchline KA5 5LU – neglected a donkey and a pony.

Dick pleaded guilty to failing to provide necessary farriery treatment and veterinary care for her pony and donkey. Her sole punishment was a £500 fine and she was not banned from owning animals.

An investigation by the Scottish SPCA revealed the animals had been suffering and in extreme pain for up to nine months.

The pony, Ebony, sadly had to be put down while the donkey, named Annie, was able to make a recovery and is now looking for a new home.

SSPCA Inspector Caitlin Rea said: “On October 22, 2021, we attended the property of Anne McCrae Dick in response to a report regarding a pony with overgrown hooves that were curling upward.

“There was no reply at the door so a calling card was posted.

“A few days later, we spoke to Mrs Dick on the phone and advised that she must make an emergency appointment with a farrier as a matter of urgency.

“Despite several calls and voicemails requesting Mrs Dick to confirm she’d made an appointment with a farrier, we received no response.

“We revisited the property on November 2, 2021, but there was again no response.

“We could see a black Shetland pony and a grey miniature donkey grazing in the field.

“We proceeded to take a closer look. The donkey approached and we immediately noticed her feet were overgrown, in particular her front feet.

“The pony was reluctant to walk and was sweating which is an indication of pain. She was not interested in grazing so it was clear that she was suffering.

“When we eventually managed to reach Mrs Dick, she stated that she was on holiday and confirmed that she hadn’t made any appointments with a farrier but that she would do so when she returned home.

“She refused to have her own vet attend and was advised that we would be calling an independent vet to examine the pony, Ebony, and Annie the donkey as treatment could not be delayed any longer. Mrs Dick terminated the call.

“Ebony was administered pain relief to make her more comfortable while being transported to the veterinary surgery.

“Both animals were found to have chronic laminitis, an extremely painful condition affecting the tissues bonding the hoof wall to pedal bone in the hoof.

“Ebony’s heart and respiratory rates were elevated.

“Closer examination also revealed that Annie was suffering from loose and decaying teeth as well as ulcerated gums caused by severe dental overgrowths.

“Judging by the amount of growth on their hooves, it was estimated that Ebony and Annie had been suffering for six to nine months.

“These equines needed emergency treatment for their feet and teeth.

“Their lack of proper care unfortunately resulted in Ebony having to be put to sleep to end her suffering.

“Annie, now renamed Diamond, is currently being cared for by one of our animal rescue and rehoming centres.

“After receiving the treatment she needed, Diamond is now ready to find her forever home.

“This is a very disappointing result given the severity of the neglect.

“Knowing there is nothing in place preventing the accused from owning or caring for equines going forward is equally concerning and frustrating.

“Ebony and Annie need not have suffered had their owner acted responsibly and sought the necessary farriery and veterinary treatment.

Cumnock Chronicle

Animal Abandonment, Equine Abuse, horses and ponies, Lifers

Appleby Magna, North West Leicestershire: Russell Whitehead

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CONVICTED (2022) | Russell Whitehead, born c. 1988, of the Black Horse Inn, 2 Top Street, Appleby Magna, Swadlincote DE12 7AH – left a horse to starve until she became “skin and bones”.

Russell Whitehead (right) with husband Dale Whitehead

The horse called Paris was neglected by Russell Whitehead, who runs the Black Horse Inn with husband Dale Whitehead, for at least the last four months of her life. Whitehead said the pressures of running his business had got on top of him and long-term staff sickness meant he had less and less time to care for the horse.

Whitehead pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering and failing to protect the animal from harm.

The RSPCA was alerted to Paris’s plight after photographs of her poor condition were posted on social media.

Inspector Harlock attended the location on February 19, 2022, and was met by the police. A number of the members of the public were also at the location.

Whitehead approached the officer and explained he was responsible for the horse. He said he had been ‘gifted’ the thoroughbred mare.

He had informed the owner of Paris – who then also attended the location to remove the horse from his care. The owner transported the horse to an equine clinic where vets examined her and provide the necessary care.

Inspector Harlock later said: “I went over to Paris and even with her rug on I could see her hip bones and that she had no muscle on her neck. With help from the police officers we moved her away from the other two ponies and removed her rug. I could see she was extremely underweight, she had no muscle on her body, all her ribs and hip bones were visible.”

A report by an expert vet who examined Paris concluded that: “There was no evidence that the horse was emaciated due to any other cause than inadequate consumption of nutrition. The chronic lack of nutrition led to catabolism of body fat and muscle.

“The neglect of preventative routine health care was evident in all aspects; foot trimming, dental care and basic grooming. The time period of suffering to get into this condition would be at least four months, more likely six months or more. The teeth appeared not to have been rasped for at least 12 months.”

Tragically although Paris had started to show signs of improvement she had to be put to sleep after she developed colic a few days later.

Sentencing | 18-month community order with 300 hours unpaid work; £295 in costs and charges. Banned from keeping all animals for life.

Staffordshire Live

Animal Abandonment, Equine Abuse, horses and ponies, Lifers, Worst of the Worst

Barnstaple, North Devon: Ben Neill and Leah Brown

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CONVICTED (2022) | Benjamin Neill, born 13 October 1984, of no fixed abode, and partner Leah Marie Brown (info tbc) – left horses and ponies for dead in a muddy field.

RSPCA Inspector Claire Ryder launched an investigation after the charity received a call to its national call centre in March 2021 from a member of the public who had seen a horse collapsed in a muddy field in Landkey near Barnstaple.

A vet who attended described how she found the horse, a chestnut gelding called Eddy, in a ‘terrible state’, unable to lift his head from the mud he was lying in, let alone stand.

In her witness statement, Inspector Ryder said: “His hip bones were protruding and you could clearly see his spine and ribs. The horse was lying in deep wet mud. You could clearly see where he was trying to get up as there was a build-up of wet mud around the horse’s head, neck and back.”

In her report to court, the vet said she thought Eddy had been down for some time as she was unable to get him up on his feet. Sadly, there was no alternative but to put him to sleep on welfare grounds to end his suffering.

A further three ponies – a bay gelding called Tye, a mare called Darcy and another bay gelding called Dorcas – were in a field next to Eddy that was very muddy with limited grazing. They had no accessible shelter and the only water source was a stream running along the bottom of a steep bank in the corner of their field.

Tye was in poor body condition, he had severely overgrown hooves and was lame in his front feet. He had difficulty walking, with a rocking motion as his hooves met the ground. The vet concluded Tye was suffering and Darcy and Dorcus were likely to suffer.

They were signed over to the RSPCA and transported to a suitable location for a thorough veterinary assessment.

All three ponies were found to have lice in their coats, parasites and their teeth were in need of attention due to sharp enamel points. They all required sedation before their hooves could be trimmed.

The veterinary evidence heard in court concluded: “Regardless of cause, veterinary intervention should have been sought for Eddy when faced with such extensive weight loss. Suffering unquestionably could have been prevented had they sought advice sooner. I have no doubt that Eddy and Tye were suffering unreasonably and unnecessarily and that this suffering had been present for at least a month. Suffering unquestionably could have been prevented had they sought advice sooner”.

Owner Ben Neill told magistrates that Eddy had been: “Jumping and bouncing around that morning.”

Sentencing Neill, magistrates told him he had shown little remorse. They said: “We have listened to the case from the RSPCA and seen photos of the horse and ponies – Eddy had a ruptured eyeball, was hypothermic in a collapsed state, emaciated and unable to access food and water”.

They highlighted his lack of appreciation to the animals’ suffering, that he failed to adhere to previous warnings and advice given to him by the RSPCA, that he knew help was available but failed to seek it. He saw the horses every day and must have known the poor condition they were in, in particular Eddy.

Sadly, Dorcus was later put to sleep due to the discovery of untreatable tumours.

Tye and Darcy were both rehomed and have settled into their new lives with the Hugs Foundation – an equine rescue charity in Bodmin, Cornwall, who offer therapeutic interventions to children, young people, the elderly, military personnel and veterans to increase health and well-being.

Darcy enjoys being brushed and led by children who visit the charity and Tye is currently on loan as part of their foster scheme and is loving life being spoiled with love and care.

The magistrates thanked the RSPCA for their work in bringing this case to their attention and commented it was ‘the most harrowing they have had to deal with in this court’.

Sentencing | 24 weeks’ immediate custody. Lifetime disqualification from keeping equines which he can appeal after 10 years.

Neill’s partner Leah Marie Brown was sentenced in November 2021 for causing unnecessary suffering to Tye and for failing to meet the needs of Tye, Darcy and Dorcus. She was disqualified from keeping equines for 10 years which she cannot apply for to be lifted for five years. She was also sentenced to a six-month curfew and ordered to pay £400 costs.

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