CONVICTED (2024) | Jessica Paige Pugh, born 8 December 2002, of Arlingham Place, Worcester WR5 2SZ, her mother Kerry Ruth Pugh, born 17 March 1980, of Brook Cottage, Bosbury , Ledbury HR8 1PX, and Oliver Daelan Fairy, born 31 December 2002, of Tanhouse Lane, Malvern WR14 – for the starvation and neglect of two horses with one having to be put down.
The case involved two equines – Autumn and Totti – who were found to be in an emaciated bodily condition likely due to high worm burdens and lack of a suitable diet.
Oliver Fairy pleaded guilty to one Animal Welfare Act offence which concerned a grey mare named Totti in that he failed to meet her needs. Kerry and Jess Pugh pleaded guilty to one offence relating to chestnut mare Autumn in that they failed to meet her needs.
RSPCA inspector Suzanne Smith attended a stables in Ledbury on March 22, 2023, after the charity received a call concerning underweight horses.
In a written statement provided to the court, Inspector Smith said that a horse called Autumn “was wearing a rug, but despite the rug I could see she was extremely angular with the rug hanging on her like she was a coat hanger
“There was no food or water in the stable, there was no bedding, there was some faeces.”
The owner of the stables named the owners as Jess Pugh and Oliver Fairy.
Fairy told inspector Smith that the horse was Jess Pugh’s horse and he had spoken to a vet the night before as the horse had had ‘choke’, but he didn’t know when the horse had seen a vet prior to that.
Inspector Smith continued: “I went into the stable and removed the rug. As I suspected, the horse was extremely underweight with all bones exposed, a clear thigh gap between her buttock cheeks, the rib cage was fully visible with a shelf along the top where it met with the spinal processors.
“Whilst waiting for the vet, as Autumn had no food or water I asked if some could be provided and a slice of hay in a small haynet was hung in the stable and the small empty bucket which was in the stable was filled.”
A vet attended and remarked that Autumn was the thinnest horse he had ever seen. In his statement, he said the mare’s body condition was 0.5 out of five and that there was strong evidence “to support parasitism for the poor body condition of the horse.”
The Pughs also attended the stables on March 22, and a transfer of ownership form for Autumn was signed by Kerry Pugh, who said she was the owner and the passport was in her name.
The court heard that inspector Smith was also able to locate the contact details with regards to Totti, who had been on loan to Fairy but removed by her owner on 17 March.
The owner was called and it was requested that a vet attend to assess Totti. It was confirmed that she had been suffering with the vent finding an “above normal faecal worm egg count”.
The vet added that blood and faecal test results were consistent with a “high intestinal parasite burden” which could contribute to weight loss. However, the test results could also be present with other diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease.
The weight loss was described as “severe” and would have occurred over a long period of time. The current keeper was informed and treatment for parasites was recommended.
Fairy accepted full responsibility for his failure to ensure Totti was provided with the correct vet assistance and nourishment.
He claimed his involvement with her was relatively limited, however. He said that another person was attending to the horses but accepted he had the overriding responsibility for her care.
In the RSPCA’s care Autumn received remedial farriery alongside a re-feeding programme. Although she regained weight her lameness problems didn’t resolve and the sad decision was made to put her to sleep.
Sentencing |
Fairy was handed a £450 fine, victim surcharge of £180, and ordered to pay £200 costs.
Kerry Pugh and Jessica Pugh were handed a £196 fine, a victim surcharge to pay of £78 and they were ordered to pay £200 costs.
All three were disqualified from keeping equines for seven years (expires February 2031).
Malvern Gazette
Horse & Hound
Your Herefordshire
Additional Information
In October 2023 Kerry and Jess Pugh loaned out a cob called Lizzie.. On arrival at the loanee’s yard, she was described as being “overweight with a matted mane and tail”.
The loanee continued: “I had to cut off her mane as it was too matted to brush out. I washed her as she was covered in scabs and dirt. She had to have six visits from a farrier before he was happy her feet were back to normal.
“The saddle they gave me was described by my saddle fitter as being only fit for the bin. It was causing Lizzie pain to be ridden in.
“She has now lost 150kg and is under supervision from me and my vet.
“As well as the usual costs of livery, hay, bedding, insurance, etc, I’ve had to pay for remedial farrier work, saddler appointments, dental treatment and vitamin balancers.
“This week alone I’ve had to spend £150 for the vet callout, microchip check and vaccinations
“I also had to buy new rugs (she came with two but both were broken) as well as new tack because neither her saddle nor bridle fit her”.
The Pughs apparently told the court that they had sold Lizzie in October 2023, when she remains on loan.
They have now asked the loanee to return her. The loanee has offered to buy her for £2,000 but the Pughs have demanded £5,000.
There are allegations that Kerry Pugh may transfer ownership of her horses to her boyfriend, Craig Cross. Cross is said to be terrified of horses so this would be an obvious and cynical attempt to skirt their court-ordered disqualification order.
The loanee is desperate to keep Lizzie who she describes as a “sweet horse who’s now been getting lots of love and care” and enjoying the companionship of two other horses.