A horse dealer from Bishop Auckland has been fined £950 after transporting two ponies that were unfit to travel.
William Railton pleaded guilty to transport offences at Carlisle Magistrates Court on 31 January.
He was prosecuted for taking two Shetland ponies that were unfit for travel to Kirby Stephens horse market on 8 June 2012. Magistrates noted he had a recent conviction relating to animal welfare.
Railton took nine Shetlands and three cobs to market. Two of the ponies had strangles and the other seven had long feet. All nine have since been taken in by charities. No action was taken over the three cobs, which were sold.
This news story was first published in Horse & Hound magazine (14 February 2013)
