DIANNE PEARSON FROM SOWERBY BRIDGE SENTENCED FOR HORSE CRUELTY CASE IN NORLAND

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Sowerby Bridge, Dianne Pearson, born around 1953, has been convicted in 2024 of severe cruelty offences involving ten horses. The case came to light after concerns about the welfare of Pearson's horses were raised with the RSPCA and World Horse Welfare in April 2023. Authorities responded swiftly, dispatching officers to the village of Norland, a part of Sowerby Bridge, where they uncovered a distressing scene of neglect.

Upon arrival, inspectors found ten horses and ponies confined within cramped, filthy stables and makeshift building structures. The conditions were appalling, with layers of faeces and soiled bedding accumulated to such an extent that the animals were visibly struggling to stand. Many of the horses exhibited signs of lameness, indicating ongoing health issues, while others suffered from dental problems and various ailments. One particular horse was so parched that it eagerly drank from a bucket of water offered to it, highlighting the dehydration concerns.

RSPCA inspector Demi Hodby, who was present during the investigation, provided a detailed account of the conditions. In her witness statement, she described the environment as lacking basic ventilation and having minimal lighting. The stables were piled high with bedding and waste, suggesting they had not been cleaned or mucked out for a significant period. She noted that most of the horses' heads were touching the roofs of their stalls due to the excessive bedding. Furthermore, there was no water available inside any of the stables, compounding the animals' suffering.

Inspector Hodby recounted that Pearson admitted during the visit that one horse, Bud, had not been outside of his stable for two years. She also described how it took her over ten minutes to clear the muck from behind Ellie’s stable door before she could free her. Similar efforts were needed to rescue Rio and other horses, as rescuers had to dig their way into some of the stables due to the overwhelming buildup of waste and bedding.

Following the rescue operation, four horses were removed immediately, with six more taken the following day. All ten animals underwent thorough examinations by an equine veterinarian. The vet’s report confirmed the severity of the neglect, stating that the environmental conditions were entirely unsuitable for the horses. The report highlighted that many of the stables were in darkness with poor ventilation, which caused additional psychological stress to the animals. One horse was medicated to cope with the stress caused by the environment, illustrating the mental suffering inflicted upon them.

It was also revealed that Pearson failed to meet the basic needs of her horses, neglecting their health and well-being. As a result, five of the ten horses were found to be suffering from ailments linked to the poor conditions. Pearson signed over six horses to the care of the RSPCA, and after legal proceedings, a deprivation order was secured, allowing the charity to take custody of the remaining four horses.

RSPCA inspector Hodby expressed her relief and satisfaction at the progress of the horses. She shared that Fern, Cody, Inca, and JJ were thriving under the care of the RSPCA at Felledge, and she was pleased to hear that Tilly and Finn had already been adopted into loving homes. She described the case as heartbreaking, emphasizing the emotional toll of witnessing ponies kept in such deplorable conditions. Hodby also acknowledged the valuable cooperation with World Horse Welfare, which played a crucial role in the rescue and investigation efforts.

Veterinary assessments led to the difficult decision to euthanize four of the horses—Bling, Bud, Ellie, and Rio—due to health complications. Gilly Howard, a field officer from World Horse Welfare, commented on Tilly’s case, noting her nervousness after being confined in the dirty stables for so long. The team at Penny Farm Rescue and Rehoming Centre in Lancashire is working diligently to build her trust, with the hope of finding her a permanent home.

In court, Pearson’s age and her early guilty pleas were taken into account during sentencing. Although she expressed no remorse for the suffering caused to her horses, she did acknowledge feeling some sadness and claimed she had always tried her best. She also stated she no longer wished to keep horses in the future and accepted that she did not want any of her horses returned.

The court handed down a 20-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, for each of the four offences, with all sentences running concurrently. Additionally, Pearson was ordered to complete 20 days of rehabilitation activities, pay costs amounting to £7,000, and was disqualified from owning horses, ponies, mules, donkeys, and their hybrids indefinitely. This disqualification is set to last for 15 years, with no right of appeal, marking a significant legal victory for animal welfare advocates in the Sowerby Bridge area.