Scottish horse breeder accused of cruelty to her horses

A Scottish horse-breeder has gone on trial, accused of cruelty to dozens of horses on her Aberdeenshire farm.

Valerie Pritchard, 65, of Mains of Green Farm, Cuminestown denies five charges under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act but has admitted a charge of failing to dispose of a carcass of a dead foal.

The charges refer back to 25 mares, stallions and foals removed from her farm in 2009 by World Horse Welfare. They were allegedly emaciated and knee-deep in mud (pictured right).

A field officer for the charity visited the farm on 14 May 2009. He told the court that he also found a deal foal and a chestnut yearling that had collapsed and was extremely emaciated. It had to be put down.

The trial, which opened at at Banff Sheriff Court yesterday, was adjourned until September.

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