Horse owner found guilty of cruelty
A Kent woman has been found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to a thoroughbred gelding (pictured).
Heather Jane Betts, of Pilgrims Way West, Otford, Kent, appeared before Medway Magistrates last Friday (5 September).
She was found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to a grey thoroughbred gelding named Tomboy by failing to investigate and address the causes of his obvious underweight condition, as well as not ensuring his needs were met.
The RSPCA was called in February 2013 after receiving a complaint from a member of the public about his welfare.
“This poor horse was extremely thin — he had no food and was starving,” said RSPCA inspector Andrew Kirby.
“It was clear that he had just not been given enough care. A very thin bandage had been put on the wound on his withers — stuck to him with parcel tape — which is not proper treatment.
“It is simply not acceptable to leave an animal to suffer in this way.”
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The case is due for sentencing on 16 October.
The horse remains in the care of the RSPCA.
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A graduate of Exeter University, Amy joined our news team from Redpin Publishing in 2008 as news writer. She was promoted to deputy news editor in May 2013 and became news editor in April 2015. She left Horse & Hound in March 2016 to take up an editorial position in Dubai.