Ten year ban for woman who mistreated horses

A woman from Cornwall has been banned from keeping equines for ten years after horses were found to be suffering in her care.

Roberta Cleere was found guilty by Truro Magistrates Court of four counts of causing unnecessary suffering under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

One of the horses, named Prince (pictured below), was found with an ulcer in his eye as well as an injury to his leg where the bone was visible. There were two further ponies found with poor body condition, Beau and Jess.

Prince found suffering © RSPCA

RSPCA officer Jonn Phipps was behind the case and feels the owner got what she deserves.

“There are no excuses at all for Ms Cleere’s actions. She is not a pony-mad teenager who was in above her head, she has more than 18 years’ experience as an equestrian and should have known better,” he said

“Despite our help and advice she allowed the ponies to suffer and as a result found herself before the courts, where she was convicted and sentenced for four offences.”

Unfortunately the pony Beau had to be put to sleep due to an infection that her weak body couldn’t fight off. However, Jess has successfully been rehomed and the other rescued horses are said to be doing well.