ALAN RILEY AND SARAH NETHERCOAT FROM BEVERLEY FACE JUSTICE OVER HORRIFIC ANIMAL NEGLECT AT AROHA DONKEYS SANCTUARY

Alan Riley, born around 1970, and Sarah Nethercoat, born on July 14, 1989, residents of Park Avenue in Beverley with the postal code HU17 7AT, have been convicted in 2024 for their role in the severe neglect and suffering of several animals at their Aroha Donkeys rescue centre and sanctuary. The couple’s failure to provide proper care led to the tragic euthanasia of two elderly animals, Melody, a 30-year-old pony, and Maggie, a 15-year-old grey donkey, both of whom were found in such a state of distress and emaciation that veterinary professionals had no choice but to put them down.

These animals were among a total of approximately 20 donkeys, along with goats and ponies, housed at Ashfield Farm in Wilfholme, situated between Beverley and Driffield. The conditions they endured were appalling, with both Melody and Maggie suffering from neglect that had gone unnoticed or unaddressed for an extended period. The court heard that in 2021, the couple admitted to causing unnecessary suffering to these animals, a serious breach of animal welfare laws.

Aroha Donkeys was initially established as a rescue operation for donkeys used in beach rides, but over time, it expanded into a breeding and training centre. Despite its growth, the facility was plagued with welfare issues. The RSPCA first intervened in July 2019 after a welfare officer advised Riley and Nethercoat to provide adequate shelter for their animals. However, the couple insisted that a hedge in the field was sufficient shelter, and they claimed that the donkeys received regular hoof and dental care, assertions that were later proven false.

Following this initial contact, the RSPCA issued a non-statutory improvement notice, but subsequent attempts to follow up with the couple proved unsuccessful. When inspectors revisited the farm, they discovered unsanitary conditions, including bedding soaked with faeces and a shelter that was too small to accommodate the number of animals present. The situation deteriorated further in November 2021, when inspectors from the RSPCA, including Tom Hutton and Alice Wilson, along with staff from the Donkey Sanctuary charity, conducted a detailed inspection of Ashfield Farm.

During this visit, they found around 25 horses and donkeys living in deplorable conditions, both in a field and a barn. The fencing was of poor quality, and the shelter made of rusty, dangerous corrugated iron posed a significant hazard. Inspector Hutton described the scene, noting the presence of hazards such as loose wire, fallen fencing, and loose fence posts around the perimeter. One small pony was observed to be extremely underweight, with ribs and hip bones prominently visible as it approached the inspectors with its head lowered, indicating severe malnutrition. Despite the owners’ claims of providing feed, evidence suggested the animals’ health was in a critical state.

Among the most distressing findings was Melody, an elderly pony suffering from two large wounds and a smaller one on her side. These wounds had been left untreated for weeks or even months, leading to inflammation and bleeding. Veterinarian Suzanne Green attended the scene and confirmed Melody’s weakened, thin, and lethargic condition. She identified the wounds on Melody’s side and thigh as inflamed and bleeding, with no evidence of recent treatment. Nethercoat claimed that Melody’s wounds had been treated with antibiotics for about six months, but no documentation was provided to support this assertion.

Following the inspection, Melody was removed from the field and transferred to an equine hospital for urgent treatment. Maggie, who was pregnant at the time, also required immediate hoof care. X-rays later revealed that neglect had caused deformities in her bones and osteoarthritis, a condition that severely affected her mobility. Maggie had bonded with another donkey, who was found dead earlier in the field. Tragically, Maggie gave birth before she was euthanized in February 2024.

Prosecutor Phil Brown emphasized the severity of the neglect, stating that Melody needed urgent treatment for overgrown hooves, which caused her pain and suffering. The court was told that euthanasia was the only humane option to alleviate her distress. The case also revealed ulcerations in Melody’s mouth, which had made eating difficult. Maggie’s condition was equally dire, with her hooves malformed due to lack of proper care. The neglect had caused her to develop osteoarthritis, and her bond with the deceased donkey underscored the emotional toll of the situation.

Riley’s legal representative, Matthew Moore-Taylor, argued that his client suffered from an acute bowel condition that significantly contributed to his weight loss. He claimed that prior to 2021, all animals at the centre were in good health. For Nethercoat, solicitor Sheila Whitehead stated that she needed more help than she admitted and that she had often taken in animals in poor condition, including wild animals, regardless of their state. She expressed remorse over the situation, particularly given Melody’s advanced age and the inability to treat certain conditions.

It was also noted that any funds raised at the sanctuary were reinvested into animal care and feed. The court heard that the neglect was not due to a deliberate attempt to profit but was largely attributed to health issues faced by the couple. Nonetheless, the judge, Recorder MacDonald KC, sentenced the pair to six months in prison, suspended for two years, along with 25 days of rehabilitation. Both Riley and Nethercoat were disqualified from keeping donkeys, mules, and equine hybrids for ten years. No order for costs was made, as the sanctuary was not a commercial enterprise.

Following the sentencing, RSPCA inspector Tom Hutton commented on the case, describing it as a clear example of neglect. He highlighted that both animals were left in conditions requiring urgent veterinary intervention, with Melody’s suffering ultimately leading to her euthanasia. Riley, a former farmer, and Nethercoat, a riding instructor, were well-known in the Beverley area, often participating in local events such as the Beverley Christmas Festival with their rescue donkeys. In 2021, they faced eviction from a smallholding between Beverley and Driffield, which they had been renting, and appealed to the public for assistance in finding new accommodation. This case underscores the importance of animal welfare and the consequences of neglecting those who cannot speak for themselves.