ANDREA PARRY-JONES FROM LLANFAIRPWLLGWYNGYLL GUILTY OF ANIMAL CRUELTY IN ANGLESEY

Andrea Parry-Jones, a conservation adviser associated with the Rare Breeds Survival Trust, faced a court hearing after being found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to a Welsh pony named Ross. The incident took place at her smallholding located in Llangaffo, Anglesey, where the conditions of her property and the treatment of her animals came under scrutiny.

On February 14, 2024, trading standards officers conducted an inspection of Parry-Jones’s smallholding. The premises were found to be in a deplorable state, cluttered with litter, discarded feed bags, rubbish, old horse rugs, and wooden pallets scattered across the area. During the inspection, Ross, the pony, was discovered tied to a gate in a muddy field. The condition of the animal was alarming: he appeared weak and underweight, with a green discharge emanating from his nose, eyes that were runny, and an infected-looking wound near his eye. Despite the availability of water, the hay provided for Ross was moldy and covered in fungus, raising concerns about the quality of care he was receiving.

Further inspection revealed the presence of several sheep carcasses stored beneath feed bags in a trailer, accompanied by a strong smell of decay that permeated the area. The state of neglect was evident, prompting immediate veterinary intervention. Ross was taken to see veterinary surgeon Sarah Green, who diagnosed him with multiple health issues. These included severe malnutrition, a fractured face with an open hole in the sinus cavity confirmed by a CT scan, and skin sores caused by rain scald—a condition resulting from repeated wetting of the skin. Due to the extent of his injuries and suffering, Ross was euthanized to prevent further pain.

During her court appearance, Parry-Jones admitted that she had not noticed Ross’s facial injury earlier, explaining that she only checked on him during early mornings and evenings in the dark. The prosecution challenged her on this point, questioning how she could have failed to notice such a serious injury and still provide proper care. She dismissed allegations of neglect, describing the claims as malicious lies. She also claimed that Ross had gone into a quarry in December 2023 and returned with cuts, which she treated with spray and antibiotics. However, the severity of Ross’s injuries and the evidence presented led the judge, Timothy Petts, to conclude that her level of care was “some care but incompetent care.”

Parry-Jones’s defense highlighted her academic background, noting her degree in Zoology and her work in conservation. She expressed genuine regret for not noticing Ross’s injury sooner and stated that she helps care for other animals on her grazing land. Despite her efforts, the court found her responsible for neglecting Ross’s health and well-being.

The court ultimately sentenced her to a six-month prison sentence suspended for 12 months, along with 20 days of rehabilitation activities. Additionally, she was ordered to pay £2,000 in prosecution costs. The judge decided against imposing a ban on her keeping animals, citing the low risk of reoffending and the potential harm that such a ban could cause to the animals she currently cares for, as it might lead to their euthanasia, which would be “fatal” for them.