A man from Somerset has been banned from keeping horses for seven years and fined after pleading guilty to an animal welfare offence.
Kevin Paul Roper, 67, of Turnpike Road, Axbridge admitted neglecting three horses in his care at North Somerset Magistrates Court on Monday 15 December following an investigation and prosecution by the RSPCA.
Concerns were raised about three horses – two of which were pregnant – who were severely underweight and in need of urgent care on land in Winscombe.
Unnecessary suffering
A vet who visited the horses, along with RSPCA Inspector Kim Walters and an equine welfare advisor from equine charity HorseWorld, determined that the three horses were suffering unnecessarily.
“As I approached the field via a public footpath, I immediately noticed a young-looking grey cob with her head held low to the ground, she was scouring heavily with staining on her tail and back legs,” said Inspector Walters in a witness statement.
“She appeared lethargic and reluctant to graze, I was able to see her hip bones, ribs and spine easily despite having a long coat.
‘Bones were protruding’
“I then observed amongst a group of horses a young piebald cob type that also appeared extremely underweight with her ribs, spine and hip bones being easily seen and felt. Also amongst the herd was a skewbald cob mare that also appeared very underweight and I could see all her bony prominences and her spine and hip bones were protruding. She also had hair loss and rain scald.”
The three horses, who were named Brie, Halloumi and Cheddar, were taken into the care of HorseWorld, where Halloumi and Cheddar gave birth to healthy foals.
Sentencing
Alongside the ban, which he can’t appeal for five years, Roper was ordered to pay £400 costs and a £240 victim surcharge. In mitigation he said he loved his horses and that he wasn’t aware of the extent of the problems.
“All companion animals deserve to be looked after by their owner properly,” added Inspector Walters.
“Roper was breeding and dealing horses but failed to give them the care they desperately needed.
“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.”
Images © RSPCA.
