ASHLEIGH HINDLE FROM MARTON SENTENCED FOR HORRIBLE MARE NEGLECT IN BLACKPOOL

Ashleigh Hindle, a resident of Barclay Avenue in Marton, Blackpool, has been found guilty of neglecting a Welsh mare named Dolly, leading to her suffering in extremely poor conditions. The case, which drew the attention of the RSPCA, revealed the severe state of the horse and the hazardous environment in which she was kept.

Hindle, a mother of two and employed as a sales administrator at Chorley Hyundai in Blackpool, was prosecuted after inspectors discovered Dolly in a dire state of health. The inspection uncovered a litany of health issues that highlighted the neglect she endured. Dolly was suffering from lameness and had overgrown hooves, which are often indicative of prolonged neglect and lack of proper hoof care. She was dangerously underweight, with her spine and hip bones protruding visibly through her skin, a clear sign of severe malnutrition.

In addition to her emaciated condition, Dolly was infested with lice and had over-sharp teeth, which caused her significant difficulty when attempting to eat. The mare was also suffering from worms and was diagnosed with hepatitis, a serious liver disease. These health problems pointed to a prolonged period of neglect and inadequate care.

The environment in which Dolly was kept was equally alarming. The field was cluttered with dangerous debris, including a roll of barbed wire, broken glass bottles, litter, and metal poles protruding from the ground, creating a hazardous setting for any animal. There was only a small amount of what appeared to be rainwater in a bathtub, which was the mare’s sole source of drinking water. The conditions were so severe that Dolly had to be tranquilized before she could be safely caught by the inspectors.

Hindle admitted to inspectors that she had been unable to catch Dolly for an entire year, which suggests a prolonged period of neglect and abandonment. Her guilty plea was for causing unnecessary suffering to Dolly between March 1 and April 10, 2018.

In sentencing, Hindle received a 12-week prison sentence, which was suspended for 12 months. She was also ordered to pay a total of £215 in costs and charges. Furthermore, she was banned from owning any horse or equine animal for a period of 10 years, a ban that will expire in August 2028. A deprivation order was also issued, resulting in Dolly being taken into care and removed from Hindle’s custody.

This case highlights the ongoing issues of animal neglect and the importance of vigilant enforcement by authorities to protect vulnerable animals from suffering in neglectful environments.