Owner banned for neglecting injury
A Wokingham man has been banned from keeping animals for three years after failing to treat his horse’s serious leg injury
Maidenhead Magistrates Court have fined a Wokingham man £500 and banned him from keeping animals for three years after he failed to treat his mare’s leg injury.
John Cooper, 32, from Carter’s Hill Park, Wokingham,Berks, pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to his 10-year-old mare Rosie.
The RSPCA first visited Rosie in her field last December after being contacted by a concerned member of the public.
The inspector found Lucy suffering from two cuts to her off hind, which had swollen to more than twice its normal size. One was 10ins long and 4ins wide and had been caused by a buckle from her rug becoming embedded in her leg.
As the owner was unable to be traced at the time, Rosie was removed and taken to a veterinary centre for treatment.
She was then returned to Mr Cooper’s care in mid-January with strict instructions to provide the mare with stabling and treatment for the injury.
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However, the following month a visiting inspector was forced to verbally warnJohn after Rosie was subsequently found in the muddy field.
On 3 March, after the warning was ignored, Rosie was removed from her owner and taken into the care of the RSPCA.
In his defence John Cooper claimed he was “too busy” caring for his father and two children to get a vet for Rosie.The chairman of the bench at the Magistrate’s Court said: “Mr Cooper had caused the animal a prolonged period of suffering by not caring for it properly.”
The ban was reduced to three years after his plea of guilty was taken into consideration.
Rosie has since been permanently removed from his care and has found a new home.
Lucy Clarke, regional press officer for the RSPCA, said: “Rosie is still receiving treatment for her injuries, but it is hoped she will make a full recovery.”
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