ANIMAL CRUELTY CASE INVOLVING JADE ENGLISH, REBECCA WILKIN, AND CARL WATSON IN BURNLEY

In 2019, Jade English, born 30/04/1989 and of Manchester Road, Burnley BB11; Rebecca Wilkin, born 24/09/1977 of Burnley Road, Crawshawbottom, Rossendale BB4; and Carl Jason Watson, born 25/10/1972 of Cog Lane, Burnley BB11, were convicted of cruelty offences involving horses and a dog. These Lancashire-based individuals admitted multiple violations under the Animal Welfare Act related to animals kept at an allotment off Moseley Road, Burnley.

English and Wilkin pleaded guilty to five offences concerning horses and a dog, while Watson admitted to one offence involving a horse. The trio appeared before Burnley Magistrates' Court for sentencing on Thursday, January 17, 2019.

The RSPCA responded to reports of a collapsed horse at the allotment on December 12, 2017. Inspectors found Domino, a horse, collapsed and confined in a filthy, locked stable. Domino was so distressed that he had managed to kick open the lower door of his stable, but despite rescue efforts, he was euthanised at the scene.

Inspector Lynsey Taylor described the scene: “What we found when we got there was shocking. The collapsed horse we’d been called about, Domino, was laid at the entrance to the allotment, a few feet from his stable, which had been bolted shut top and bottom. Unfortunately, Domino’s injuries and condition meant there was nothing vets could do but end his suffering.

“A second horse, a colt named Koda, was also found down but was ultimately stabilized and taken to HAPPA — the Horses and Ponies Protection Association — who arrived at the scene shortly after our team. The horses at the allotment were living in dreadful conditions; they were underweight, with overgrown feet, lameness, lice, and mites.

“A dog named Cyprus, who had recently had puppies, was also rescued from similar deplorable conditions. She was underweight, suffering from mastitis and diarrhoea, and was taken into police possession on veterinary advice.

Several animals, including a horse named Gypsy Boy and Cyprus the dog, were immediately signed over to the RSPCA. Koda was transferred to HAPPA, where he remains under their care to this day.

Wilkin was convicted of cruelty to horses and a dog. In April 2018, the RSPCA revisited the allotment after a police officer, present for an unrelated matter, observed a horse in poor condition. The officer asked for the horse, Deano, to be examined; he was also taken into police care and placed with the RSPCA.

The court heard that the cruelty was not intentional; the defendants had rescued the horses from elsewhere and did their best to care for them, but lacked the resources to properly feed or house the animals.

Regarding Watson, it was noted that he had not owned Deano for long. RSPCA Inspector Taylor stated: “These animals were failed by these people and they suffered — and in Domino’s case, died — as a result.”

Sentencing details were as follows: Jade English received a six-month community order with an eight-week curfew and 10 rehabilitation activity days, alongside costs and charges totaling £1,285. She was also disqualified from keeping equines for four years, with a deprivation order placed on three horses not previously signed over to the RSPCA.

Rebecca Wilkin was sentenced to a 12-month community order including 20 rehabilitation activity days, with the same total costs and charges of £1,285 and a four-year disqualification from keeping equines. Carl Watson received a nine-week curfew, costs and charges amounting to £685, and was disqualified from keeping equines for two years. A deprivation order was also issued for Deano.

This case highlights ongoing concerns about animal welfare and enforcement actions taken by the authorities.