Ban for donkey suffering man

A pensioner who admitted causing unnecessary suffering to donkeys he kept in a Shropshire field has been banned from owning any equine animals for the rest of his life.

Michael McAleer, 72, pleaded guilty to two charges of causing suffering to three donkeys which were kept at Townsend Farm, Alveley, between March 8 and April 5. McAleer admitted he had failed to provide routine farrier treatment for the animals.

He also failed to provide veterinary treatment for their lameness.

Magistrates sitting in Telford told McAleer the offences were serious but said they would not send him to prison because of his age and his early guilty pleas.

They gave him a three-year supervision order and banned him from keeping equine animals for life.

They also ordered that the donkeys be given to the RSPCA for rehoming and told McAleer to pay £2,333 court costs.

Mr Roger Price, prosecuting on behalf of the RSPCA, told magistrates yesterday that the animals' hooves were "unacceptably and very obviously overgrown" and the animals were in pain and discomfort

The court was told that the owner of the farm was not responsible for the care of the donkeys and simply leased a field to McAleer, of Saltbrook Road, Halesowen.

Mr Price said the donkeys had not been properly cared for for at least six months and two of the animals had to be given intravenous pain relief by vets working for the RSPCA and all the animals suffered from lameness

Mr Simon Rollason, defending, said McAleer was the main carer for his ex-wife and sometimes his responsibilities may have got too much.

He said his client appreciated the offences crossed the custody threshold but asked that any prison sentence be suspended.