Ammanford Man And Woman Banned From Keeping Horses For Neglecting Five Ponies
An Ammanford man and woman have been banned from keeping horses for two years after their ponies were found to be thin, covered in lice and with scabs on their back.
Edward Brian Elward (d.o.b 04/01/1955) and Susan Jayne Thomas (d.o.b 25/11/1970), both of of Parc Penrhiw, Betws, Ammanford, appeared at Llanelli Magistrates’ Court yesterday (Thursday 15 September) and both pleaded guilty to an offence under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
Magistrates disqualified Elward and Thomas from keeping horses for 24 months, and they were each fined £500, ordered to pay £300 costs along with a victim surcharge of £50.
When an RSPCA inspector visited the five ponies at Tywn, Ammanford he found them to be in a neglected and in a poor state. They were thin and covered in lice and three of the ponies had scabs on their backs. Sadly they had been neglected for some time and an independent vet found they had been clearly suffering.
Elward and Thomas both admitted to causing unnecessary suffering.
RSPCA inspector Keith Hogben said: “These ponies had clearly been neglected for months on end and were suffering.
“There was some food being provided but clearly it was not enough. Their body condition was in a terrible state and they just did not have the energy to move to the little natural shelter that was available. It was so cold at this time of year so they suffered then even more.
“They should have known better and if people are struggling they need to ask for help instead of burying their heads in the sand.”
Following RSPCA care the ponies’ condition has improved following an appropriate diet and veterinary treatment. Three of them are due to be rehomed, one has been rehomed already and the fifth is due to go into foster care before being available for rehoming.
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