An Ammanford man has been banned from keeping equines for three years and given a suspended jail term, after a horse in his care was left suffering because she was so desperately thin.
Nigel Jeremy Nicholas Ward, 62 – of Penygarn Road – pleaded guilty to the Animal Welfare Act offence – and was handed a 28-week custodial sentence, suspended for 18 months, following his treatment of the brown horse.
RSPCA inspector Keith Hogben had previously found the equine – named Lily – in a field at the end of Llwyncelyn Road, in the Glanamman area of Ammanford, with her ribs, hips and spine all clearly visible.
Veterinary opinion confirmed that the horse was suffering, and Ward admitted at court this was a consequence of his failure to address the equine’s significant weight loss. Lily’s suffering took place between 12 March and 12 August last year.
Ward was sentenced at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court last Thursday (16 July). In addition to the suspended prison sentence and equine ban, he was also given a 35-day rehabilitation order, and told to pay £200 in costs and a £122 victim surcharge.
Keith Hogben, RSPCA inspector, said: “Poor Lily’s ribs, hips and spine were all visible, and it was clear her low body weight was causing her major issues.
“Veterinary opinion confirmed Lily was suffering. But this horse’s plight could have been avoided had the causes of the horse’s troubling weight loss been addressed.
“Owning equines is a privilege – however as a result of his actions towards Lily, Ward can no longer own these animals, for three years.”
