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A man and woman from Llandysul, Wales, have been banned from ownership after 16 horses in their care were found in “terrible state of neglect”.
David Robert John Davies, 56, of Maes Dilen, Pentre Cwrt, and Leanne Summers, 37, of the same address, appeared at Llanelli Magistrates Court last week (23 October) for sentencing.
Davies was sent to prison for 26 weeks after he admitted to causing unnecessary suffering to 16 horses. He was banned from keeping horses for life.
Summers was given a suspended prison sentence of 26 weeks. She was banned from keeping horses for five years and was ordered to pay a £4,000 fine.
Two horses were put down and two were found dead.
The RSPCA was called after concern was raised about the welfare of eight horses in the Rhydargaeuau area. Two were found dead and a third — a black colt — was put to sleep on veterinary advice.
“These horses were all in a terrible state of neglect,” RSPCA deputy chief inspector Julie Fadden said. “Two were already dead, and very sadly, the black colt was in such a bad state of health that nothing could be done to save him.
Never miss out on the latest happenings in the equestrian world
“The other five were Welsh mountain ponies and were ranging in condition from thin to emaciated.”
RSPCA inspector Keith Hogben attended another location at Capel Dewi where he discovered a further 10 horses.
“Sadly one of the horses was so weak that a vet said he had to be put to sleep,” he said. “It was horrendous and so sad. Six out of the ten horses were very thin.
“People have these horses and don’t understand how to look after them. These are their basic needs and they need to be checked daily.”
The surviving horses were taken into RSPCA care. The charity hopes to rehome them soon.
Davies’ and Summers’ bans will come into force on 1 February 2016.
They were both fined a victim surcharge of £80.
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Rachael joined Horse & Hound in 2014, initially as a digital sub editor then became part of the news team as a writer in 2015. The philosophy graduate studied journalism at the Press Association before working as a local reporter at the Brentwood Gazette. Rachael is now a mum of two and still loves all things equestrian, including hacking, dressage and jumping with her cob Bert. Rachael left the H&H staff to go freelance in June 2019, but still contributes to our magazine and website, as well as our sister magazine Country Life, among others.