Pair sentenced for mistreating ponies
A man and a woman from Swanley who were
both living on benefits and sharing the care of six ponies have
been convicted of mistreating them.
The case brought by the RSPCA at Dartford magistrates court
heard they denied them basic care including veterinary treatment
and an adequate diet.
Sharon Cooksley, 42, and Jamie Brown, 23, who live in separate
properties in Heath Close in Swanley, were sentenced at Dartford
magistrates court last week.
They denied the offence.
The ponies were removed by the RSPCA from Oakview Stud Farm in
Horton Kirby in December 2011.
RSPCA inspector Andrew Kirby said: “One chestnut mare had dental
abnormalities that she was not getting treatment for, rug wounds
and was in poor condition.
"She and her foal were being denied appropriate forage and
grazing.
“Another chestnut colt had rug wounds and ringworm.”
Cooksley and Brown were found guilty of offences under the
Animal Welfare Act 2006 relating to the ponies’ poor body
condition, inadequate diet, dental problems, untreated ringworm and
rug wounds.
They were both given a one-year disqualification from keeping
horses, were fined £100 per offence and asked to pay £500 each in
costs.
The defendants are appealing the decision.
14/02/13