Horses rescued by Burnley charity (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Horses rescued by Burnley charity

2:44pm Wednesday 2nd February 2011 in Briercliffe

neglected Bella, now recovering, was in a very poor shape when a vet saw her

THREE horses have been rescued by an East Lancashire charity after they were discovered neglected in a farmer’s field.

The trio of thoroughbred mares, named Bella, Grace and Wolfie, are recovering at the Horse and Pony Protection Association (HAPPA) sanctuary in Halifax Road, Briercliffe, following the prosecution under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

Peter Jackson, of Thirsk, North Yorkshire, was found guilty of failing to ensure the needs of the horses were met.

He was fined £400 and was disqualified from keeping horses for three years.

Northallerton Magistrates’ Court heard a veterinary surgeon was called out to Jackson’s field in April last year and found the horses in poor condition.

The animals had been under-fed and were without adequate shelter or rugs. HAPPA said the horses were in ‘very poor bodily condition’ and were suffering from a ‘huge infestation’ of lice.

Welfare officer Janine Ashworth said: “To see such beautiful animals in such a neglected state was truly heartbreaking.

“Thankfully each horse has made a full recovery and they now look fantastic.”