Community Order and Ban for Owner of Neglected Shetland Ponies
Neglected Ponies Arrive
William Pettigrove of Longwick, Buckinghamshire yesterday admitted to failing to meet the welfare needs of two Shetland Ponies.
Sonny, a five-year old male Shetland pony, and his mother Snowy, have been living at The Horse Trust's sanctuary in Speen, Buckinghamshire, for the last nine months. The two ponies were removed from Pettigrove's property, Chadwell Hill Farm, on 23 May 2008 by the RSPCA after they were found underweight and had a severe lice infestation.
Pettigrove pleaded guilty in Aylesbury Magistrates Court to failing in his duty of care towards the two ponies and was given the following sentence:
- A one-year community order with a requirement for 40 hours of unpaid work
- A one-year ban from keeping equines
- Ordered to pay costs of £8,525.55 to cover legal fees and the cost of looking after the horses
- An 8pm - 8am electronically tagged curfew imposed for 28 days
- A deprivation order for the two Shetland Ponies, which will now be found loving homes by The Horse Trust
"We are very pleased with the verdict and are over the moon that the animals do not have to be returned.. The sentence shows that failing to provide a proper standard of care for animals will be taken very seriously" said Kirsty Hampton, the RSPCA Inspector who was involved in the case.
Pettigrove was were found guilty under Section 9 of the Animal Welfare Act 20061 for failing to provide a suitable standard of care for the two Shetland ponies.
"When Sonny and Snowy were found they were underweight and had rubbed their skin raw due to the untreated lice infestation," said Liane Crowther, Welfare & Education Officer for The Horse Trust. "The two horses have now fully recovered and Sonny keeps the staff here on their toes with his cheeky nature!"
Post this story to: 
Alpine Interactive