JANET MARR'S CRUELTY IN WHEATLEY HILLS: DONCASTER HORSE BREEDER SENTENCED FOR HORRIFIC NEGLECT

Janet Marr, a horse breeder residing on Sandall Park Drive in Wheatley Hills, Doncaster, has been convicted of severe animal cruelty after a disturbing case of neglect involving 19 miniature Shetland ponies. Born on June 4, 1950, Marr faced justice at Sheffield Crown Court, where she was sentenced to 12 years in prison and received an indefinite ban on keeping any animals. The court's decision came after evidence revealed her deliberate and cruel neglect of the ponies, many of whom had not been deemed suitable for county shows and were abandoned to their suffering.

Between May and July 2023, Marr’s neglect was so egregious that eight of the ponies had to be euthanized due to their dire condition. The case drew significant attention from animal welfare organizations, notably the RSPCA and World Horse Welfare, who collaborated to rescue the suffering animals. The rescue operation uncovered a heartbreaking scene: a large number of miniature Shetland ponies in a state of severe neglect, with many suffering from overgrown hooves, lameness, dental issues, obesity, lice infestations, and other health problems. Many of these ponies had not been examined by a veterinarian or attended to by a farrier for an extended period.

Investigations began after a concerned member of the public reported the ponies’ condition on Wrancarr Lane, Moss, Doncaster, in July 2023. Following an initial assessment by World Horse Welfare, authorities called in the RSPCA for further investigation. When officials from both organizations visited Marr’s property, they found a distressing scene: numerous ponies in a suffering state, with their physical health severely compromised. The ponies’ poor living conditions, coupled with their physical ailments, painted a stark picture of neglect. Inspector Tamsin Drysdale from the RSPCA described the scene, noting that several mares exhibited severe laminitis, with some showing overgrown hooves and signs of pain. One mare was found immobile, clearly in agony, while others displayed similar distress.

Further examination revealed that many of the ponies had been suffering from dental issues, lice infestations, and obesity, all signs of neglect and poor care. The animals had not been seen by a veterinarian or a farrier for a long time, which contributed to their worsening health. A specialist equine veterinarian concluded that all the suffering could have been prevented with reasonable care, and that Marr had failed to meet the basic needs of her animals. The court heard that some ponies exhibited symptoms consistent with laminitis, a highly painful condition affecting the feet.

Interestingly, two ponies kept separately from the neglected group had been entered into various regional competitions, and the court noted that these animals appeared well cared for. Judge Jeremy Richardson remarked that these show ponies were in good condition, contrasting sharply with the others, who had been abandoned to their fate. The judge condemned Marr’s actions, stating that her neglect had resulted in the unnecessary suffering and death of eight ponies, with the remaining 11 being rehomed. Some of the ponies were so severely neglected that they could barely move.

During the proceedings, Marr claimed she wanted to give the ponies “one more summer,” a statement the judge described as almost unbelievable. The judge emphasized that this so-called gesture was in fact a summer of neglect and pain for the animals. He condemned her for visiting such cruelty upon the Shetland ponies, asserting that her actions revealed her to be a woman capable of cruelty rather than care. The severity of her offenses warranted an immediate custodial sentence, the judge concluded.

Following the sentencing, Inspector Drysdale expressed relief that the rescue efforts had succeeded in saving the ponies. She emphasized the importance of responsible breeding and animal care. Sarah Tucker, a Field Officer from World Horse Welfare involved in the rescue, shared her satisfaction with the outcome, highlighting the transformation of the ponies from suffering to health. She also welcomed the court’s deprivation order, which removed the remaining ponies from Marr’s care, ensuring their future safety. This case underscores the dangers of uncontrolled breeding and neglect, serving as a stark reminder of the importance of animal welfare and responsible ownership.