RSPCA: Owner of horse who got on gate didn’t get vet treatment for injuries
The owner of a stallion, who seriously damaged his genitals trying to jump a five bar gate, has been given a five year ban on keeping horses by Chelmsford magistrates.
RSPCA inspector Rosie Russon was answering a call in May about a thin horse at stables in Captains Wood Road in Maldon in Essex. .
She found Little Man, a five year old grey roan cob, standing in a field with untreated wounds to his genitals.
A vet was called and the horse was taken away for treatment. Little Man had injuries to the sheath of his penis, swelling from his genitals to his neck and a serious infestation of mites in his feathered feet. Blood tests showed he was suffering from malnutrition.
Inspector Russon says: “On interviewing his owner I discovered that, during the previous week, he had been feeling frisky and tried to jump a five bar gate to get to his mare in the next field but failed to clear it.
“He landed with his head underneath him looking backwards and his back legs caught on the other side of the gate.”
“Apparently, a member of the public found him stuck and dismantled the five bar gate in order to get him onto his feet again.”
Little Man’s owner John O’Leary, 63, of Cranley Gardens, London, N10, was found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering, was ordered to pay £2,100 costs and fined £1,600. He was banned from keeping horses for five years.
Dereck Boyce, 65, of Rectory Road, Woodham Walter, Essex, who looked after Little Man, a mare and a filly for Mr O’Leary was also found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering, ordered to pay £2,100 and was given a 200 hours community service order and a five year ban on keeping horses.
To help us investigate cases like this please text HELP to 78866 now to give £3 (Text costs £3 + one standard network rate message).
-ends-
Notes to editors
Pictures are available from the national press office on 0300 123 0244/0288
RSPCA, Wilberforce Way, Southwater, Horsham, West Sussex RH13 9RS
Press office direct lines: 0300 123 0244/0288 Fax: 0303 123 0099
Duty press officer (evenings and weekends) Tel 08448 222888 and ask for pager number 828825
Email: press@rspca.org.uk Website: www.rspca.org.uk
Dogs come in all shapes, sizes and breeds! Check out our top tips for
canine care:
http://blogs.rspca.org.uk/insights/2013/01/03/meeting-your-dogs-welfare-needs/
-01.png){kind=spacer}