www.rspca.org.uk/prosecutions/annualreport
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Investigating officer:
RSPCA Inspector Keith Hogben
Defendant:
Female 43, equine event
course builder
Offences:
Animal Welfare Act 2006 s4
and s9
Pleas:
Not guilty
Total convictions:
Eight
Sentence:
Disqualified from keeping
horses for 10 years; 18 weeks'
imprisonment suspended for
24 months; deprivation order
in respect of Victor; 300 hours
unpaid work; £6,289.54 costs.
Appeal against conviction
dismissed, further £1,520
costs awarded.
Prosecuted by:
Wilson Devonald Griffiths
John Solicitors
Two horses were found in a deplorable condition,
clearly in need of veterinary treatment.
One horse, an ex racing stallion
called Paddy, was found to be
around 35 percent underweight.
A second horse, called Victor,
was approximately 25 percent
underweight. His demeanour
was depressed, his eyes dull
and he was disinterested in his
surroundings. He was suffering
from a tendon injury and sarcoids.
Their owner claimed she was very
knowledgeable about equines,
therefore she saw no need to call
a vet. She had no qualifications to
support her opinions and views.
Both horses had dusty, greasy
coats and their hooves were
overhanging their shoes,
indicating they had been on for
too long. Witnesses confirmed
the woman only provided her
horses with "spasmodic" care.
Due to his age, and his very poor
bodily condition, Paddy was later
euthanased on veterinary advice.
However, Victor's health improved
in private boarding. His tendon
injury cleared up and his sarcoid
lesions began to heal.
SOUTH WEST WALES
PERSONS
CONVICTED 11
TOTAL
CONVICTIONS 30
Investigating officer:
RSPCA Inspector
Richard Abbott
Defendant:
Female 46, unemployed
Offence:
Animal Welfare Act 2006 s4
Plea:
Guilty
Total convictions:
One
Sentence:
Disqualified from keeping
animals for life; two-year
conditional discharge;
£500 costs.
Prosecuted by:
Wilson Devonald Griffiths
John Solicitors
South West WalesBear, a longhaired Labrador-cross, was found with a
chronic skin condition, overgrown claws and infected
eyes and ears.
Bear was suffering from severe
mange. His skin was red and
inflamed, with significant hair
loss. His owner claimed he was
15 or 16 years old, however
veterinary records proved he was
in fact only seven.
RSPCA Inspector Richard Abbot
asked Bear's owner when the
dog had last seen a vet. She
replied: "Years ago… I was going
to take it but I'm afraid it will be
put to sleep."
Bear was taken to RSPCA Llys
Nini Animal Centre for treatment,
where his eyes, ears and skin
responded well to treatment.
He has ongoing treatment for
age-related ailments.
Bear has now been adopted by his
fosterer and behaves like a parent
figure towards the various puppies
and kittens his new owner fosters
for the RSPCA. If one wanders
away, Bear is there to encourage
them back to the others.
Staff at the veterinary surgery
who originally treated Bear
were delighted when shown
photographs of him after
his recovery.
Bear after his
recovery and adoption.
Bear's skin was red and
inflamed with significant hair loss.
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