DAVID WILKINSON FROM LOW MOOR BANNED AFTER HORSE NEGLECT IN CUMBRIA AND BRADFORD

David Wilkinson, a known horse dealer and repeat offender from the village of Low Moor in Bradford, has faced serious legal consequences following his latest conviction related to animal welfare violations. Wilkinson, born around 1974, was found guilty of neglecting two horses, one in Kirkby Stephen, Cumbria, and another in Bradford, with both cases revealing significant neglect and inadequate care.

In the recent case, Wilkinson was responsible for the welfare of an Appaloosa mare that suffered from overgrown hooves and poor dental health, as well as a Skewbald mare that was discovered with a lice infestation and a bilateral nasal discharge. The horses' conditions indicated a clear neglect of basic veterinary needs and proper husbandry. The RSPCA charged Wilkinson with three offences concerning animal welfare, and he pleaded guilty to all charges.

This incident marked Wilkinson’s second similar offence within a span of four years. Previously, in November 2015, he was ordered to pay more than £2,000 and complete 135 hours of unpaid community work after neglecting a horse at Soulby, a village in Cumbria. The neglected horse, a Skewbald mare named Annie, was found in unsuitable conditions, with inadequate care provided. The court heard that Wilkinson failed to properly investigate and treat the mare’s poor body condition, and he admitted to neglecting her pain, suffering, injury, and disease by leaving her rugged in an environment that was not suitable for her needs.

During that earlier case, a third charge related to failing to provide adequate veterinary care for a uterine infection was dismissed due to lack of evidence. At that time, Wilkinson was not banned from keeping horses because he had no previous convictions and was considered to be of good character. The court also took into account the potential loss of his livelihood and the impact on his family.

However, following his latest conviction, Wilkinson faced more severe penalties. He was sentenced to a 12-month community order, which includes 200 hours of unpaid work. Additionally, he was ordered to pay an £85 victim surcharge and £1,411.72 in court costs. Most notably, Wilkinson was disqualified from owning, keeping, participating in the keeping, or transporting horses for a period of eight years, a ban that will last until September 2027. This order aims to prevent him from reoffending and to protect future animals from neglect by Wilkinson.

The case highlights ongoing concerns about animal welfare and the importance of strict enforcement of laws designed to prevent neglect and cruelty. Wilkinson’s history of offences underscores the need for vigilance and accountability in the treatment of animals, especially in rural and semi-rural communities like Low Moor and Kirkby Stephen.