DANIEL BROCKHILL CONVICTED OF CRUELTY IN HEYSHAM

Daniel Brockhill, born on 21/02/1968 and residing at 16 Robin Crescent, Heysham LA3 2WG, was convicted in 2020 of cruelty to two ponies.

One of his neglected horses was discovered to be underweight, depressed, and infested with lice. Brockhill, a Romany gypsy and alleged backyard breeder of diseased Staffordshire bull terriers, admitted to causing unnecessary suffering to the animals.

The first pony, a dark brown cob mare, was found with a 'stinking open wound' caused by a tight bridle rubbing her, along with a small cut to her nose and missing patches of fur on her face. The second pony, a black and white piebald cob mare, was spotted wandering aimlessly in a field, appearing dull and depressed.

The weakened and malnourished second horse was unresponsive, with an elevated heartbeat and temperature. She was heavily infested with lice and eggs that had been present for at least ten days, and fecal staining on her hind legs indicated serious diarrhea. Court proceedings revealed Brockhill had purchased this pony only three weeks prior.

Prosecutor Paul Ridehalgh explained that a worker from World Horse Welfare attended a field in the Twemlow Parade area of Heysham, where 13 horses were kept. While most were healthy, one was found with a bridle that was 'clearly too tight' around her nose.

The worker attempted to loosen the bridle and discovered a 'red raw open wound' beneath the pony’s chin, with the collar embedded in her skin, emitting a bad smell. The charity then contacted the RSPCA, and further inspection raised concerns about the other pony’s poor condition.

The inspector noted the second pony’s extremely worrying behavior and her being very unwell. Veterinary assessment confirmed both animals had suffered due to Brockhill’s neglect.

Despite her painful injury, the first horse was described as bright, alert, and responsive. Conversely, the second received only a score of one out of five on her body condition scale — zero indicating emaciation. Brockhill agreed to transfer ownership of both ponies to the RSPCA.

Over the four weeks in charity care, the starving pony gained approximately 8kg.

In interviews, Brockhill admitted ownership of both ponies but asserted he had only had the malnourished horse for three weeks. He claimed that upon arranging transportation to a field in Skipton, the pony was weak and barely able to walk, and he expressed being 'appalled' by her condition.

When advised that she should have been seen by a veterinarian, Brockhill insisted that his experience with horses led him to believe she simply needed a good feed.

The court also noted Brockhill’s previous conviction for animal cruelty in 2002, though of a different nature.

District Judge Paul Clarke acknowledged the significant suffering inflicted but appreciated Brockhill’s cooperation with the RSPCA. The judge stated it was not 'deliberate cruelty' but pointed out that the case was about 'competence and horse husbandry.'

Brockhill was sentenced to a curfew, ordered to pay £690 in costs and charges, but he was not given a ban from keeping animals.

Lancaster Guardian