Horses ban for East Lancashire farmer (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Horses ban for East Lancashire farmer

5:40pm Tuesday 17th November 2009 in

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A FARMER has been banned from keeping horses for 10 years after a mare and her foal were found suffering from serious injuries.

In a landmark prosecution by Briercliffe-based equine charity HAPPA (Horses and Pony Protection Association), Simon Fielding was also landed with a legal bill of more than £9,000.

Fielding, formerly of White Goats Farm, now of Sunderland Street, Burnley, pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to a horse and foal.

The first charge related to foal Bertie, which had been attacked by a dog and not received proper veterinary treatment, the second to his mother, Kiwi, found with a severe skin condition.

Charges against his wife Lynn were withdrawn.

Fielding was given a two-year conditional discharge by Hynd-burn magistrates and must now not be involved in the care, transport or control of horses or ponies until 2019.

After the case, HAPPA welfare officer Janine Ashworth said: “There is no excuse for leaving animals to suffer from untreated wounds and for omitting to provide them with adequate food and care.

"It is nothing short of a miracle both animals have made a full recovery.”

Christopher Wyatt, prosecuting on behalf of HAPPA, told the court the charity became involved in the case through Ron Thompson, of Stanley House Vets.

He found Bertie in a collapsed and emaciated state, after being tipped off by a groom there.

Bertie had a number of wounds, was unable to rise and had a low body temperature, with a rapid heart rate, the court heard, with experts fearing he was close to death.

He was eventually taken for emergency treatment to HAPPA’s rescue centre at Shores Hey Farm, Briercliffe.

Several weeks of treatment were required to bring Bertie back to full health, the court heard, and he continues to thrive at Shores Hey, where Kiwi was also treated for her skin complaint.

Officials from HAPPA, for whom Fielding is believed to be their first-ever prosecution, say they have seen a 30 per cent increase in equine cruelty cases this year alone.