Two men been banned from keeping horses

Two men have been banned from keeping horses after pleading guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a pony.

Terrible state

Charlie was one of several horses that had escaped onto a main road near Bath last November. His condition was so poor he had to be put to sleep at the scene.

“This poor pony was in a terrible state and just hadn’t been looked after,” said RSPCA inspector Becky Jeffery who attended the scene.

Deep wounds

“He had deep wounds on both hind legs that were badly infected, his mane was extremely matted and his back hooves were severely overgrown. There is no excuse for leaving an animal in this state without even the most basic care.”

David Jones (44) and Richard Jones (35) from Upper Swainswick in Somerset admitted causing unnecessary suffering to Charlie by failing to provide veterinary care for his wounds and necessary hoof care.

Custodial sentence

They also pleaded guilty to failing to meet the pony’s needs by not treating and investigating the cause of his poor weight.

In addition to the disqualification, which cannot be lifted for five years, the men were each given a 12-week custodial sentence, suspended for 12 months.

David Jones was ordered to do 150 hours unpaid work and to pay £936.48 in costs and Richard Jones was given a 12 month supervision order, a 12 week night time curfew and was ordered to pay £1,182.42 in costs.