JACK AND BARBARA CARTER'S HORRIFIC CRUELTY IN TARLETON LEADS TO SHOCKING ANIMAL ABUSE REVELATION

In a disturbing case that has shocked the community of Tarleton, Lancashire, Jack Carter, born around 1946, and his wife Barbara Carter, born approximately in 1948, have been found guilty of severe animal neglect involving nine horses kept at their residence on Bank Bridge. The couple, who have a long history of breeding, showing, and caring for horses spanning over six decades, admitted to engaging in what the court described as 'barbaric' cruelty towards these animals.

Prosecuted by the RSPCA, Jack and Barbara Carter appeared before Lancashire Magistrates to face charges related to the prolonged mistreatment and neglect of the nine horses. The RSPCA's investigation revealed that the Carters had failed to provide even the most basic care for their animals, resulting in conditions that were described as utterly deplorable and inhumane. The charity's inspector, Vicki McDonald, along with officers from Lancashire Police, visited the couple’s property in April 2021 after the Carters had repeatedly avoided inspections, citing various reasons for their reluctance.

Initially, Jack Carter denied the presence of any ponies or horses on the premises. However, he eventually agreed, albeit reluctantly, to allow Inspector McDonald to inspect the stable located behind their house. What she discovered there was shocking and deeply distressing. The inspector recounted her findings in court, describing a scene of neglect that was almost beyond comprehension. Inside the first stable, she found a grey pony in a state of severe environmental and physical distress. The animal was standing on a thick layer of rotting litter that had accumulated to such an extent that it reached the top of the stable door. The pony was unable to stand fully upright, with its back protruding through a hole in the stable roof, indicating extreme neglect and suffering.

Further examination revealed that the pony's hooves were severely overgrown, corkscrewed, and in dire need of farrier care. The litter in the stable was so deep and foul that it prevented the door from opening, trapping the animal in its suffering. The inspector also observed a chestnut and white pony in another stable, along with two additional grey ponies in a nearby yard. The behavior of these ponies was described as highly stressed and erratic, with their coats matted and patches of sore skin visible—likely the result of lying in their own filth for extended periods.

Inspector McDonald emphasized the shocking nature of the conditions, stating that the ponies had been kept in environments that were not only physically damaging but psychologically cruel. All four ponies were found to have overgrown, corkscrewed hooves, and their living conditions were so cramped that they had little room to move or stand normally. The ponies' backs reached the roofs of their stables, indicating they had been confined in these conditions for a very long time, possibly their entire lives.

Due to their critical health, the inspector called in an independent veterinarian, who advised that all four ponies should be euthanized to end their suffering. The ponies were trapped inside their stables, unable to escape due to their poor health and the buildup of filth. Staff had to break down a wooden wall to reach them and provide necessary care. The veterinary report confirmed that the ponies had been neglected in every fundamental aspect of their welfare, with conditions described as 'extremely barbaric.'

Inspector McDonald expressed her heartbreak over the case, condemning the prolonged and inexcusable neglect. She stated, “The severe lack of care and level of suffering endured by these ponies was prolonged, wholly avoidable and totally inexcusable. It was heartbreaking to find them in such a neglectful state and for them, after such an awful life, to be beyond saving.”

It was also revealed that the Carters had additional ponies stabled nearby on Liverpool Road. Jack Carter admitted to the RSPCA that there were two ponies at that location, but upon inspection, another five ponies were found there. These animals had access to food and water but were also in a neglected state, suffering from various health issues. The RSPCA took custody of these horses, and veterinary examinations confirmed that four of the five were suffering so severely that euthanasia was deemed the most humane option. The remaining pony was rehabilitated and will be rehomed.

In sentencing, Jack and Barbara Carter received 12-week suspended sentences, were ordered to pay £500 in costs, and were banned from keeping animals for life. This case has left a lasting impression on the community and highlights the importance of animal welfare and the consequences of neglecting those who cannot speak for themselves.