EVAN LLOYD EVANS AND THE HORRIFIC PONIES OF PWLLHELI AND CHWILOG

Evan Lloyd Evans, a horse breeder from Pwllheli, was found guilty of neglecting and mistreating a large number of Welsh mountain ponies at his farm in Chwilog. The case drew significant attention after authorities uncovered the shocking conditions in which these animals were kept, revealing a pattern of neglect that spanned several years.

On June 27, 2012, RSPCA officers conducted a thorough inspection of Evans' Cricieth Stud, located at Pencarth Uchaf Farm in Chwilog, near Pwllheli. The inspection was prompted by reports of poor living conditions and health issues among the ponies. During the visit, veterinarians determined that nine of the horses had severe hoof problems that were untreatable, leading to their euthanasia to prevent further suffering. In total, 50 ponies were removed from the farm, leaving only five with relatively normal hooves among the 59 animals discovered.

The court proceedings included the presentation of distressing video footage captured by the RSPCA and the World Horse Welfare charity. These videos vividly depicted the dire state of the ponies’ hooves and their overall living environments. The footage showed animals living in squalid conditions, with their hooves in a state of neglect, and their enclosures filled with dirty hay and broken agricultural equipment that posed injury risks. The fencing surrounding the pens was makeshift and in poor repair, further endangering the animals.

Inspector Mark Roberts of the RSPCA described the situation as “appalling and completely inappropriate for the ponies kept there.” He explained that many of the animals suffered from acute health issues, particularly with their feet, and that the situation was exacerbated by the fact that many ponies were virtually unhandled, making treatment extremely difficult. Roberts emphasized that the veterinary advice was clear: the conditions were so severe that nine ponies had to be euthanized to alleviate their suffering.

Defense lawyer Nigel Weller attempted to justify Evans’ actions by stating that the breeder had dedicated his life to horse breeding and was proud of his bloodlines, which bore the Criccieth prefix. Weller claimed that the neglect was a short-term issue, worsened by Evans’ poor health and lack of assistance. He also mentioned that the number of horses at the farm had been reduced by two-thirds, with the remaining animals transferred to Evans’ daughter, who was capable of caring for them with help from family members.

Despite these arguments, the court was told that the costs incurred by the RSPCA in caring for the ponies since June 2012 amounted to approximately £300,000. Evans, it was revealed, had no financial means to cover these expenses. Judge Andrew Shaw sentenced Evans to 10 weeks in prison and imposed a ban on keeping animals for ten years, a period that was due to expire in November 2023 but was extended following a breach of the ban.

In a troubling development, despite the ban, Evans was found in June 2021 to be in possession of 91 ponies on his land. These animals were kept in deplorable conditions, causing suffering to many of them. Evans pleaded guilty to ten offences under the Animal Welfare Act and received a 20-week suspended jail sentence. The investigation into this breach was a result of a multi-agency operation conducted in September 2020, prompted by reports of poor conditions and violations of the existing ban.

Video evidence from the court showed the ponies living in filthy, dark, and hazardous environments, with faeces scattered everywhere and even a bucket containing dead rats. The conditions were deemed highly inappropriate and unhygienic. Veterinarians identified that dozens of the ponies had suffered unnecessarily, including a Welsh Section A pony with an untreated broken leg and four others with untreated lameness. Six ponies had not received proper parasite treatment, and one had a severe facial deformity that had gone unnoticed. Additionally, 28 ponies suffered from dental issues, and eight from hoof problems, all due to Evans’ neglect.

As part of the sentencing, Evans was fined £1,000, ordered to pay a £128 victim surcharge, and received a 20-year ban from keeping horses and poultry, which was extended until 2041. The court’s decision underscored the seriousness of his breaches and the importance of animal welfare, sending a clear message to all breeders and owners about their responsibilities toward their animals.