Dem Besitzer eines Heiligtums, aus dem 137 Pferde entfernt wurden, nachdem Bedenken hinsichtlich ihres Wohlergehens geäußert wurden, ist es seit einem Jahrzehnt verboten, Pferde zu halten.
Sandra Jane Kaverneng-Sstolp, bekannt als Sandra Stolp, die das Heiligtum der Whispering Willows leitete, bekannte sich schuldig, Tieren in ihrer Obhut Leid zugefügt zu haben.
Der 54-Jährige aus Derwen Road, Pontardawe, Swansea, bekannte sich gestern (15. Februar) vor dem Amtsgericht von Swansea zu vier Straftaten nach dem Tierschutzgesetz in Bezug auf 22 Pferde schuldig.
Die 137 Pferde, die an drei Standorten gefunden wurden, wurden im November 2019 an Wohltätigkeitsorganisationen für Pferde übergeben, nachdem Bedenken geäußert wurden. Eine behördenübergreifende Operation mit der RSPCA, World Horse Welfare, Redwings, der British Horse Society, dem Horse Trust, Blue Cross, Bransby Horses, dem Mare & Foal Sanctuary und dem Donkey Sanctuary wurde als „unglaubliche Illustration“dessen beschrieben, was möglich ist durch gemeinsame Arbeit für den Tierschutz erreicht werden.
Tierärzte bestätigten, dass viele der Pferde in einem schlechten Zustand waren; man schätzte, dass einige von ihnen sechs Monate oder länger litten.
an rspca spokesman said: “photographs shown to the court show hips, spine and ribs clearly visible on some of the horses.
“unfortunately, two of the horses found during the operation, to which charges relate, had to be put to sleep soon afterwards due to welfare problems. one was found with a high heart rate, low body temperature and with the tail crusted in large volumes of dried faecal material, while another, who was initially found lame and reluctant to move, was later unable to rise despite rehabilitation efforts and had to be put to sleep nine days after being found.”
rspca inspector keith hogben said looking after so many horses properly is a “huge challenge”.
“sadly, when things went wrong, these horses suffered the consequences,” he said.
“vets were clear that the conditions many of these horses were kept in was not appropriate with unsuitable grazing - 22 animals suffered because they were not given the care they needed by this sanctuary.
“we’re so grateful to the other equine organisations who supported this partnership operation. it’s an incredible illustration of what we can achieve together for animal welfare.
“it was a huge undertaking; and their assistance with boarding, transportation and administration has been invaluable in helping these equines in their hour of need. thankfully, it has meant many of these horses will get a second chance of happiness.”
the court heard in mitigation stolp was struggling financially to care for the more than 100 horses in her care.
she admitted that her failure to adequately explore and address the poor condition or injury of 22 horses led them to suffer unnecessarily.
she was banned from keeping all horses for 10 years and ordered to pay £1, 000 in costs and a £90 victim surcharge. she must serve a 20-week curfew, during which she will wear a tag, and must not leave her home between 9pm and 6am.
many of the horses have since been rehomed.
