TWO YEAR BAN FOR MINI SHETLAND OWNER WHO HID HER NEGLECT
The owner of a pony that was rescued with terribly overgrown feet has been banned from keeping equines for two years.
| The 30-inch tall miniature stallion was rescued in a joint operation between the RSPCA and Redwings Horse Sanctuary after he was found with painfully deformed and overgrown hooves, in chronic pain and poor bodily condition. Tragically this is the third case of cruelty to equines that has been brought against the owner, who had hidden the pony to avoid being reported. It was only thanks to a brave member of the public that the RSPCA were alerted to the situation. Anticipating the owner's reluctance to allow him to inspect the premises where the pony was kept, the RSPCA inspector was the first in the country to use powers under the new Animal Welfare Act to reach the pony. |  |
 | With feet so overgrown and deformed that they were 'cartoon-like' and curled in appearance and a painfully thin stature, the pony's condition and appearance has defied belief, even among the horse welfare professionals that have seen him. While in the care of Redwings, the pony received specialist farrier work to his feet, bespoke plastic shoes to try and support the foot and around-the-clock care for over four months. Despite the hopeless future he faced due to the extent of the neglect, Pegasus changed almost instantly when his feet were trimmed and he was given pain-relieving medication. He began to eat and move about and again enjoyed some quality of life. However, tragically the neglect had caused so much damage to the bones of his feet that the sweet natured pony, named Pegasus, could not be cured or kept free enough from pain. He eventually had to be put to sleep to avoid a painful future. "The condition of Pegasus when he arrived was pitiful," explains Redwings Welfare Veterinary Surgeon Nicolas De Brauwere. |
To learn more about Redwings visit www.redwings.co.uk or call 0870 040 0033
Added on: 21/11/07.
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