24 June 2021

Welsh man handed suspended jail term

A Welsh man has been handed a suspended jail term after failing to meet the needs of 91 ponies and causing dozens of them – plus three cockerels – to suffer at his farm.

The man, of Chwilog, Pwllheli, pleaded guilty to 10 Animal Welfare Act offences and was sentenced at Llandudno Magistrates’ Court on 21^st June.

In addition, he was banned from keeping horses and poultry for 20 years and ordered to pay a £1,000 fine and a £128 victim surcharge.

The prosecution followed a large multi-agency operation at the defendant's farm in September 2020, which was supported by Redwings’ Head of Welfare and Behaviour Nic de Brauwere.

RSPCA inspector Keith Hogden found dozens of horses and other animals kept in outbuildings, barns and fields in highly inappropriate conditions, with faeces everywhere – and even a bucket of dead rats!

In total the farmer kept 91 ponies in illegal conditions which were unhygienic and hazardous. Sadly, three had to be put to sleep during the operation due to the extent of their suffering.

Veterinary opinion was that dozens of the horses had suffered unnecessarily, including two who had not been given appropriate care for a broken leg and lameness respectively.

Six of the ponies also required treatment for parasites, while another had a severe facial deformity which had gone unchecked.

Shockingly, 28 had not received appropriate dental care, while a further eight were judged to be suffering from lack of hoof care.

Redwings pledged a home to 15 of the ponies, who continue to receive care at the Sanctuary. Since their arrival, mares in the group who were pregnant at the time of the rescue, have given birth to three foals.

In true Redwings style, the ponies have all been named along a theme – pasta and sauces! Names include Farfalle, Carbonara, Ragu, Macaroni and Ravioli!

Three cockerels were also deemed to have suffered unnecessarily.

RSPCA Inspector Keith Hogden said: “We’re indebted to our partners at North Wales Police, World Horse Welfare, Redwings and the British Horse Society, who worked tirelessly with us on this huge job, which was clearly so important for the continued welfare of the animals we rescued.

“I am just relieved that following the intervention of a number of agencies, many of these will now have a second chance of forever home happiness. It is a great example of partnership working which is testimony to what can be achieved together for animal welfare.”