Surrey Woman Who Neglected Horses Banned From Owning Pets for Lifetime

A Surrey woman has been banned from owning any animals for the rest of her life, after having neglected a number of horses, as well as a variety other animals on her farm.

 

Christine Kelly, 60, was sentenced at Staines Magistrates Court on the 25th August 2022, receiving a 26 week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, alongside a life ban on animal ownership, after being found guilty of 15 offences that breach the Animal Welfare Act (2006), one being failure to meet the needs of over 130 animals, including horses, dogs, donkeys, goats and poultry. 

 

A warrant was issued on the 9th January 2019, which invoked the RSPCA-led investigation into concerns for the welfare of the animals held at the farm, but it wasn't the RSPCA alone that tackled the case, as a number of other parties, including Guildford Borough Council, Surrey Trading Standards, Redwings Charity, The horse Trust, The Donkey Sanctuary, Bransby Horses, World Horse Welfare, Dogs Trust and a variety of vets assisted on the day in order to rescue the animals. 

 

 

Prosecuting on behalf of the RSPCA, Hazel Stevens claimed that "the premises were in a bad state, the housing for the animals was inadequate and in many cases it presented a risk to the animals contained within the various enclosures"

 

"There was little adequate shelter, the areas were dirty and muddy, and many animals did not have access to clean, dry resting areas or water to drink. There was insufficient grazing and dangerous fences, the property posed further risk to the animals due to loose wire that had become entangled around limbs.”

 

Large herds of ponies were discovered dwelling in fields littered with metal remnants such as broken fencing sticking out of thick layers of muck. Authorities discovered pens brimming with donkeys, goats, and ponies, many of whom were standing on two to three feet of waste and faeces.

 

On the grubby property, dozens of dogs were found on chains or tethered, some heavily pregnant while others had tiny puppies. Others were caged inside cramped conditions or unstable makeshift kennels.

 

 

A total of 204 animals were discovered at the site, with the condition of some of the animals being so poor that it resulted two horses and a goat needing to be put to sleep based upon welfare grounds. 201 of the animals were taken into care by various charities with the aim of being nursed back to health. 

 

Sadly, 14 horses weak from hunger and emaciation, who also had serious worm problems and were suffering from cyathostominosis, succumbed to their conditions or were euthanized based on vetinary advice. Despite the charities' best efforts to preserve them, two dogs and one goat were euthanized as was one chicken and one duck.

 

As some of the rescued animals were pregnant, the charities collectively saw twenty foals were born in their care, although two were stillborn. In addition, six goat kids, one alpaca, and nine puppies were born; however, two of the puppies sadly died shortly after birth.

 

 

Throughout the investigation, Kelly denied the offences and claimed that she was not responsible for all of the animals found on site, stating that most of the animals did not belong to her.

 

During the investigation a second person was jailed (in October 2021) for causing unnecessary suffering to two horses and one goat, and, like Kelly, failing to meet the needs of 171 animals including 131 horses, 33 dogs, two alpacas and five birds. 

 

This case serves as a stark reminder of how important it is to ensure that animals are well-cared for and not neglected. If you suspect that an animal is being neglected or abused, please report it to the RSPCA's Cruelty Hotline on 0300 1234 999 or view their guidelines on reporting animal cruelty or distress here.

 

To learn more about proper care for your horses, or other equine livestock, take a look at the Equestrian Advice & Guides section of the Horsemart community blog to find out how to best care for your animals, including articles such as 'The Basics Of Equine Nutrition', 'Diagnosing And Treating Horse Mites (Mange)' and more...