HORSE NEGLECT IN DRIFFIELD: DAWN DIXON AND ANTHONY QUINN FACE COURT FOR CRUELTY AND FAILURE TO PROVIDE CARE

Dawn Catherine Dixon, born around 1979, and her husband Anthony Peter Quinn, born approximately in 1971, both residents of Gransmoor Lodge Caravan Park in Gransmoor, Driffield YO25 8HY, found themselves in serious legal trouble after being convicted of neglecting their horses and failing to meet their animals' basic needs. The couple, known locally and associated with the traveller community, was held accountable for a series of neglectful acts that resulted in significant suffering for three horses they cared for.

According to court reports, Dixon, a mother of ten children with her youngest just 11 weeks old, and Quinn, who owned a field near Backcarr Lane in Nafferton, neglected their responsibilities as horse owners. They were responsible for three horses named Billy, Rolo, and an unnamed mare. Over a period stretching from March 16, 2019, to July 16, 2019, the couple failed to address critical health issues affecting the animals, including skin conditions such as sunburn and sweet itch, an allergic reaction caused by insect bites. Their neglect extended to inadequate feeding, which contributed to two of the horses becoming clinically obese, a condition that can lead to further health complications.

Investigations revealed that the horses were left to graze freely on a lush pasture owned by Quinn. However, this pasture was contaminated with poisonous plants, which, if ingested, could have caused severe liver damage. The horses were also found to be infested with parasitic worms, indicating a failure to implement an effective parasite control program. The neglect was further evidenced by overgrown hooves that had become infected, leading to thrush, and in one case, an X-ray showed bones in a horse’s leg had shifted due to the untreated condition.

RSPCA inspectors had previously visited the property multiple times, issuing notices warning the couple to improve the horses’ welfare. Despite these warnings, Dixon and Quinn ignored the directives, and the situation deteriorated further. Ultimately, law enforcement officials intervened, and the horses were seized by police for their safety and well-being.

One of the horses was suffering from injuries around her muzzle and eyes, and the mare was suffering from sweet itch, which is caused by allergic reactions to insect bites. The neglect was considered severe enough to cause unnecessary suffering to a protected animal, a charge to which both Dixon and Quinn admitted. The court heard that the couple’s failure to act was a clear breach of their duty as responsible owners.

In court, the prosecution, led by Philip Brown, emphasized the gravity of the neglect, highlighting the presence of poisonous plants, parasitic worms, and untreated injuries. The couple’s failure to provide proper diet and veterinary care was central to the case. The defense argued that Quinn was unemployed and not receiving benefits, while Dixon, burdened with caring for her young children, was left with only a small income after expenses. They also claimed that the proceedings had caused Dixon significant anxiety and personal distress.

Sentencing saw Quinn receive a two-year community order along with 200 hours of unpaid work, while Dixon was fined £280. Both were issued a five-year ban on owning or keeping any equines, a restriction that will remain in effect until December 2026. The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of animal welfare and the legal responsibilities that come with caring for animals, especially in rural and traveller communities like those in Driffield and Nafferton.