Owners of neglected horse whose condition left RSPCA inspectors 'horrified' banned from keeping animals for 10 years
Two people who allowed a neglected horse to suffer with a chronic untreated skin condition have been banned from keeping animals for ten years.
Wayne Brown, 75, and Margaret Southall, 83, of Broughton, Claverley, near Bridgnorth, were both responsible for the care of a horse named Dynamite, and pleaded guilty to animal welfare offences following an investigation and prosecution by the RSPCA.
Dynamite was underweight and suffering from severe skin disease, hair loss, thickened skin, scabs, ulcers, and bleeding from self-trauma due to intense itching.
He also experienced diarrhoea and had ulcers in his stomach, likely due to a lack of adequate food.
Despite his conditions, the pair had failed to seek urgent veterinary attention and neglected basic preventative healthcare.
RSPCA inspector Fiona Howell, who investigated for the animal welfare charity, was left “horrified” after first seeing Dynamite.
She said: “He had 80 per cent hair loss and wounds covering his face, head and body with the worst of them being on his rear end from the dock of the tails to his thighs and on his forehead.”
Inspector Howell added: “The skin over his body resembled leather. I was horrified by his condition. He was visibly underweight and passing watery droppings in the form of diarrhoea.
"There was a large amount of mud and normal faeces in the field shelter. The gateway and area surrounding the field shelter was covered by deep mud which was difficult to walk through.
“He was standing with his hind quarters tucked under him. His ears were back and his muzzle tightly clenched. He was also grinding his teeth. He looked like he was in pain and uncomfortable.”
Inspector Howell contacted police to seize Dynamite, and a horse transporter to take him to a vet for urgent care, however, Southall, the legal owner of Dynamite, took the decision to euthanise her horse at the home address instead.
A vet, who examined the evidence surrounding Dynamite's condition following a post mortem, said: “All the problems and suffering seen in Dynamite could all have been avoided by reasonable practical means. It is my expert opinion that the owner has not taken reasonable steps to meet the needs of the horses to be protected from pain, injury, suffering and disease.”
Alongside the 10-year disqualification, which they can not appeal to be lifted for two years, Brown was sentenced to a 12-month community order, with 25 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 80 hours of unpaid work.
Southall was handed a 12-month community order, 25 rehabilitation activity requirement days and £200 costs when they were sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court on August 21.
After sentencing, RSPCA inspector Fiona Howell added: “All animals deserve better than to have their suffering ignored. Those caring for animals have a responsibility to ensure the needs of their animals are met, this includes making sure they have a suitable diet and veterinary care for any health conditions.”
