Mother banned from keeping animals neglected 43 horses and dogs on North East farm

MOTHER BANNED FROM KEEPING ANIMALS NEGLECTED 43 HORSES AND DOGS ON NORTH EAST FARM

A mother who was banned from keeping animals has now been convicted of neglecting more than 40 horses and dogs.

Dead and dying horses were discovered at Kerry Anne Pickersgill's farm in County Durham.

Rescuers from the RSPCA and the World Horse Welfare found 22 horses living alongside dead equines in filthy barns and stables at the remote property in Marwood, Barnard Castle.

Some had collapsed, and many were underweight.

They also found 21 dogs in sheds and trailers on the farm, many of them matted with mouldy faeces.

The RSPCA carried out an investigation and charged Pickersgill, 48, who was disqualified from keeping all animals for life in May 2015, and her daughter Ellie Newby, 25, both of whom lived on the farm.

During a hearing in October, Pickersgill admitted 12 counts of causing unnecessary suffering, two counts of not meeting needs, and breaching a previous ban on keeping animals.

The charges relate to 22 horses and 21 dogs.

Newby admitted two offences of causing unnecessary suffering in relation to two dogs.

The court in Durham sentenced Pickersgill to a two-year prison sentence suspended for two years, along with 25 rehabilitation activity requirement days, 100 hours of unpaid work, and a six-month mental health treatment order.

Newby received a 12-month community order and was ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work, as well as being disqualified from keeping dogs for five years.

The court heard that animals were left in poor conditions, with some horses being so underweight they were eating faeces, and many kept in filthy, soaked bedding with no clean water.

The judge was told that the owners failed to provide veterinary attention, resulting in some animals being so ill they had to be put down.

The investigation revealed skeletal remains, carcasses, and animals in various stages of deterioration, suffering from neglect, infestations, and poor treatment.

The horses and dogs were transported to welfare centres to get treatment and rehomed.

Pickersgill expressed regret, blaming herself for her circumstances, while Newby, with no prior convictions, was under her mother's influence and led a solitary life.