NICHOLAS GREEN OF CHALFONT ST PETER SENTENCED FOR HORSE CRUELTY IN GERRARDS CROSS

Nicholas Green, born on 30 March 1959 and residing at 22 Glebe Close in Chalfont St Peter, Gerrards Cross SL9 9NU, was found guilty of neglecting and allowing severe suffering to three horses under his care. The case drew significant attention from animal welfare organizations after reports emerged concerning the poor condition of the horses, which included two pregnant mares, Elsa and Summer, as well as a third horse named Guard.

According to the RSPCA, members of the public had raised concerns about the horses’ welfare, specifically highlighting the lack of adequate food and water. These reports prompted investigations and multiple visits by welfare officers over a span of two months. Despite leaving notices requesting Green to contact them, the officers received no response from him during this period.

On 21 February 2020, a veterinarian was called to assess the horses’ condition, which had become critical. The vet’s examination revealed that Summer and Elsa were in extremely poor body condition, with their nutritional needs not being met. Both mares were pregnant at the time, and the vet expressed concern that they were suffering during the examination and that their suffering was likely to continue or worsen if no action was taken.

Further reports from the public indicated that a member of the community was regularly filling the water troughs in the field, as they would often be found empty, and that the owner’s feeding practices were inconsistent and inadequate. As a result of the deteriorating health of Elsa and Summer, they were transferred to Redwings Horse Sanctuary in February 2020. Elsa subsequently gave birth to a filly named Bruni in March.

Tragically, Summer experienced a stillbirth in April. Despite this loss, with the dedicated care of Redwings’ veterinary and equine teams, Summer gradually recovered from her ordeal. Throughout the summer months, the three horses enjoyed time together in a field, and their health improved gradually. They regained weight, and their stiffness was managed effectively. However, in October, Summer was brought into the sanctuary’s hospital suffering from severe lameness caused by a hoof abscess. Further examination revealed she was also suffering from osteomyelitis, an infection of the pedal bone in her foot.

Despite efforts to keep her comfortable, the decision was made that the most humane course of action was to euthanize Summer. The veterinary team concluded that treating her infection surgically would involve a long and painful recovery, which was deemed unfair given her existing osteoarthritis in her hind legs. The sanctuary’s chief executive, Lynn Cutress, expressed her sadness over Summer’s passing but emphasized that Summer had enjoyed ten months of care and companionship at Redwings. She highlighted that the care provided allowed Elsa’s foal, Bruni, to have a chance at a healthy and happy life and expressed hope for a loving forever home for both mother and daughter.

In sentencing, Nicholas Green received a 12-month community order, which includes 150 hours of unpaid work. He was also ordered to pay costs and charges totaling £1,090. Additionally, Green was banned from keeping any equines for five years, with the ban set to expire in January 2026. A deprivation order was granted, resulting in the horses being removed from his care. The case underscores the importance of responsible ownership and the legal obligations that come with caring for animals, which Green failed to meet in this instance.