News on the workings of The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, from rescuing horses who have become welfare cases to their involvement with hunting.
Stephen Lees, 61, of St Asaph, was given an 18-week suspended prison sentence and banned from keeping horses for 18 months after a mare was found with halter injuries so severe that bone was exposed
“Two of the sites were strewn with hazards such as sharp metal and barbed wire, and at one site the horses were kept in overcrowded, filthy conditions with nowhere for them to lie down”
“This reform is long overdue – for many years, the most violent and horrific abuse and cruelty received a maximum penalty of just a few months”
The mare’s carer was convicted of three offences under the Animal Welfare Act
“He really needed our help because if he’d been left any longer the wire may have cut into his skin and caused some serious damage”
H&H speaks to established equine welfare charities to find out how this recent court case demonstrates the need for licensing and regulation of animal sanctuaries, and what the benefits of this would be, for horses and people
“Sadly, when things went wrong, these horses suffered the consequences”
‘The vet checked the horse and miraculously her core temperature was normal as she had been wearing two rugs’
A second donkey was found suffering with thrush and white line disease in all four hooves
“It’s time that the sentences imposed on individuals who cause pain and suffering to animals reflect the severity of the crimes they are committing”
Two cobs and 14 donkeys were seized by police and taken into the care of the RSPCA and the Donkey Sanctuary
An RSPCA inspector said it was shocking that someone was capable of such “deliberate brutality” towards a pony
The RSPCA said the case could have been avoided had the owner provided food and water for the horses
“Owning horses is a privilege, and despite repeated warnings, the standards of care have fallen well short of legal requirements here — sadly these animals have paid the price”
“It was incredibly sad to see these two ponies in such desperate need of care, but so frightened of people”
“I wasn’t sure whether he was going to make it but he’s proved he’s a little fighter. He’s a Christmas miracle!”
The charity said the colt received round-the-clock care while vets fought “tirelessly” to save him
