JIM PRICE CRUELTY IN SPLOTT AND PLYMOUTH: HORSE ABUSE CASE SHOCKS CARDIFF AND CORNWALL

Jim Price, a resident of Taymuir Road in the Splott district of Cardiff, has been convicted of animal cruelty after a disturbing case involving neglect and abuse of a young pony named Coco. Price, born around 1991, also has connections to the travellers site at Rover Way in Cardiff, as well as links to Cornwall and the Plympton area of Plymouth. The case has garnered significant attention due to the severity of the neglect and the conditions in which Coco was found.

In August 2023, Price left Coco, then only two years old, tied up in a car park in Plympton, Devon, while he went to a pub. During this time, the pony was exposed to the intense summer heat without access to food or water. Witnesses and members of the public, concerned about the young animal’s deteriorating condition, offered her water and reported their concerns to the police. It was later revealed that Price had purchased Coco from a notorious horse trader and alleged abuser, Nakita Price, who resides at the Rovers Way Travellers Site in Cardiff.

Members of the community who encountered Coco were alarmed by her appearance. She was found suffering from sunburn lesions, with ragged hooves that had nails protruding, and broken skin where her harness had rubbed her. The neglect was evident, and her condition was described as extremely poor. The police, upon being alerted, took Coco into their care and contacted both a veterinarian and the RSPCA to investigate further.

Veterinary examination revealed that Coco was in a dire state of health. She was extremely lethargic and quiet, with a dull coat, a thin neck, and visible sunburn lesions on her nose. There was a sore on her nose caused by a tight noseband, and a broken skin area on her lower right chest where her harness had rubbed. Her hooves were ragged, with three nails sticking out sideways from her hind feet, indicating recent shoeing that had gone wrong. Additionally, she was infested with lice and mites, and her mane was severely matted, causing her pain and discomfort.

After being taken to a boarding stable, Coco was provided with immediate care. She drank an astonishing 25 liters of water upon arrival, with another 25 liters consumed over the course of the night. She also ate steadily once given food by the veterinary team. The local community and animal lovers rallied around her, providing additional care and attention. Photos taken after her rescue show her beginning to recover, with signs of improvement and hope for her future.

Jim Price admitted to two offences under the Animal Welfare Act 2006, as part of a case brought forward by the RSPCA. The court heard that Price’s neglect had left Coco in a severely compromised state, with her health and well-being severely impacted. The court also noted that Coco had not been microchipped, which is now a legal requirement for all horses. The veterinarian’s report described her as being in a poor condition, with signs of malnutrition, dehydration, and parasitic infestation.

Following the conviction, Coco was deemed fully recovered and is now available for rehoming. The RSPCA Inspector Miranda Albinson, who was involved in the investigation, expressed her gratitude to the public for their vigilance. She emphasized that Coco’s suffering was entirely preventable and highlighted the importance of reporting concerns about animal welfare. Inspector Albinson stated, “Coco was being kept treated in a completely inappropriate way, did not have her basic needs such as food and water provided, and at two years old, was far too young to be driving a cart and being worked. She also did not have a microchip, which is now mandatory for all horses.”

Price was sentenced to a 24-month community order, which includes 20 days of Rehabilitation Activity Requirements for each of the two offences, to run concurrently. He was also fined £200 and ordered to pay £250 in costs. Additionally, he was disqualified from owning horses for a period of seven years, with no appeal allowed before five years, which will expire in September 2031. The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of animal welfare and the consequences of neglecting vulnerable animals in the community.