CONNIE MULLANE OF WINTERBOURNE BRISTOL BRUTALLY BEATS PONY IN HORRIFIC ANIMAL CRUELTY CASE

Connie Mullane, born on August 16, 1993, and residing at Northwood Park Travellers Site on Old Gloucester Road in Winterbourne, Bristol, has been at the center of a disturbing animal cruelty incident that was captured on CCTV footage. The footage shows Mullane viciously attacking a defenseless pony with a wooden plank, an act that has shocked the local community and animal welfare advocates alike.

According to reports, Mullane, who is known to have a history of fly-grazing offences alongside her brother Edward Mullane—an issue that previously led to both being issued Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs)—was caught on camera repeatedly striking the pony. The footage vividly depicts her raising a piece of wood and smashing it into the animal’s face, head, and body with relentless force. The injured pony, visibly terrified and rearing in distress, was tethered to a racing trap, which prevented it from fleeing the brutal assault.

Animal welfare officials and authorities have condemned the incident as a clear case of severe cruelty. RSPCA Inspector Miranda Albinson described the attack as “an absolutely horrific case of animal cruelty,” emphasizing that there is “never an excuse to treat an animal in this way.” She further explained that the CCTV footage unmistakably shows Mullane inflicting pain and terror upon the pony by hitting it in the face with a piece of wood, an act that would have caused significant suffering.

In court, Mullane admitted to causing unnecessary suffering to the pony on May 20, 2017. Her actions, which involved inflicting blunt force trauma and physical violence, were found to be in violation of Section 4 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006. As a result, she was sentenced to 24 weeks in prison, though this sentence was suspended for two years. Additionally, Mullane was ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid community service, pay a total of £615 in costs and charges, and was disqualified from keeping any equine animals for the remainder of her life.

The case has garnered significant attention from local media outlets, including Bristol Live and the Daily Mail, highlighting the ongoing concerns about animal cruelty and the importance of enforcement of animal welfare laws in the Bristol area, particularly in Winterbourne where Mullane resides.