Two people who neglected a horse called Dynamite and allowed him to suffer with a chronic untreated skin condition have been banned from keeping animals for ten years.
The stallion was underweight and suffering from severe skin disease, and had lost 80% of his coat hair. He also had thickened skin, scabs, ulcers, and bleeding from self-trauma due to intense itching.
He also experienced diarrhoea and had gastric ulcers, likely caused by a lack of adequate food.
Sand was also present in the horse’s large intestine, and there was inflammation in his small and large intestines.
Margaret Jean Southall, 83, the horse’s legal owner, and 55-year-old Wayne Kenneth Brown, were both responsible for the stallion’s care.
The pair, from Broughton in Claverley, Wolverhampton, pleaded guilty to animal welfare offences following an investigation and prosecution by the RSPCA.
At the time of his rescue, police seized Dynamite and a horse transporter was organised to take him to a vet for urgent care. However, Southall took the decision to euthanise her horse at the home address instead.
80% hair loss
RSPCA Inspector Fiona Howell said she was “horrified” the first time she saw Dynamite.
“He had 80% hair loss and wounds covering his face, head and body, with the worst of them being on his rear end, from the dock of the tail to his thighs and on his forehead,” she said.
“The skin over his body resembled leather. I was horrified by his condition. He was visibly underweight and passing watery droppings in the form of diarrhoea.
“There was a large amount of mud and normal faeces in the field shelter. The gateway and area surrounding the field shelter was covered by deep mud, which was difficult to walk through.
“[Dynamite] was standing with his hindquarters tucked under him. His ears were back and his muzzle tightly clenched. He was also grinding his teeth.
“He looked like he was in pain and uncomfortable.”
Sentencing
A vet, who examined the evidence surrounding Dynamite’s condition following a post mortem, said: “All the problems and suffering seen in Dynamite could all have been avoided by reasonable practical means.
“It is my expert opinion that the owner has not taken reasonable steps to meet the needs of the horses to be protected from pain, injury, suffering and disease.”
In sentencing at Birmingham Crown Court on August 21, Brown was sentenced to a 12-month community order, 25 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement (RAR) days and 80 hours unpaid work.
Southall was handed a 12-month community order, 25 RAR days, and £200 costs.
Both were also banned from keeping animals for 10 years and they can not appeal for this disqualification to be lifted for two years.
“All animals deserve better than to have their suffering ignored,” said Fiona Howell after sentencing.
“Those caring for animals have a responsibility to ensure the needs of their animals are met, this includes making sure they have a suitable diet and veterinary care for any health conditions.”
All images © RSPCA
