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STAN AND HEATHER STRELLLEY'S HORRIFIC PONY ABUSE IN KIDWELLY REVEALED
Stan and Heather Strelley, both born around 1978 and residents of 34 Bron, Gwendraeth, Kidwelly SA17 4HT, have been found guilty of severe neglect and mistreatment of a large number of ponies on their property. The case has shocked animal welfare organizations and the local community alike, highlighting the extent of their failure to meet the basic needs of these animals.RSPCA Cymru investigators were called to the Strelley farm after reports of ponies in distress. Upon arrival, they discovered a scene of utter neglect: ponies with overgrown hooves, fresh cuts, and scrapes covering their bodies. The land was littered with broken glass, bricks, metal debris, and discarded machinery, creating a hazardous environment for the animals. The investigators could hear banging noises emanating from the site, which led them to a collapsed shed where several ponies were desperately trying to force their way out through the fallen metal roof.
Inside the shed, conditions were appalling. Three ponies were found in such a state of distress that they could not stand upright without injuring themselves. They were forced to crouch, with their legs buckling under the strain, a clear sign of neglect and suffering. The shed itself was filthy, overflowing with soiled faeces, and had nails protruding from the walls, posing additional dangers to the animals. Nearby, the bones of a deceased pony were discovered on a muck heap, indicating neglect that had gone unnoticed or unaddressed for some time.
Further investigation revealed the presence of twenty more ponies housed in a separate building. Almost all of these animals were living in horrific conditions, with part of the roof collapsing and the ponies living amidst many feet of faeces. The structure was so dilapidated that the ponies could not stand without hitting their heads on the low, broken roof. Among these ponies, three were underweight, six were lame, and three more were trapped in the collapsed shed, unable to free themselves. The overall environment was described as a nightmare for the animals, with their health and well-being severely compromised.
RSPCA inspector Keith Hogben, who was involved in the investigation, described the scene as 'shocking neglect of a large number of animals.' He recounted the distressing moment when he heard a pony attempting to bang its way out of the collapsed shed, a sound that left a lasting impression. The inspector noted that the ponies were in conditions so horrendous that they appeared to be suffering unnecessarily, with some showing signs of weight loss and lameness. The investigation also uncovered that both Stan and Heather Strelley were actively showing ponies on the circuit, with some animals at the site being groomed and in comparatively better condition than others, revealing a disturbing inconsistency in their treatment of the animals.
The court heard that the overall conditions at the property were 'disgraceful' and 'disgusting,' leading to the ponies being taken into the care of the RSPCA. Twenty-two ponies were officially signed over to the charity, while the remaining thirteen were still at the property but had been moved away from the environment of neglect. The Strelleys were given 28 days to make arrangements for the care of the ponies still in their possession.
Inspector Hogben emphasized the severity of the case, stating, 'This complex investigation uncovered shocking neglect of a large number of animals—ponies kept in hugely inappropriate conditions, many suffering from serious weight loss or lameness.' He pointed out the disturbing fact that both individuals continued to show ponies during the investigation, despite the ongoing neglect. The disparity in treatment—some ponies groomed and cared for, others left in appalling conditions—highlighted a blatant disregard for animal welfare. Hogben expressed his disbelief at how conditions could deteriorate to such an extent.
In court, the judge described the conditions at the site as 'disgraceful' and 'disgusting,' and handed down sentences to the Strelleys. Stan Strelley received a 16-week jail sentence, suspended for a year, along with costs of £415, 190 hours of unpaid community work, and 25 days of rehabilitation activities. Heather Strelley was sentenced to 12 weeks in jail, also suspended for a year, with similar costs and 25 days of rehabilitation. Both were banned from keeping ponies and horses for five years, although they have the right to appeal after one year, with the ban expiring in February 2024.
Additional legal actions followed in February 2022, when the couple was found to have violated their disqualification order by keeping ponies again. Inspectors visited a farm in Trimsaran Road, Kidwelly, after reports of a lame pony and breaches of the ban. They found thirteen Welsh ponies, with some showing stress-related behaviors and suffering from untreated laminitis. The couple denied ownership initially, claiming the ponies belonged to a woman with different surnames, but later admitted ownership through legal correspondence.
The veterinary assessment confirmed the ponies’ suffering, especially Maia, a bay mare suffering from laminitis and in uncontrollable pain. Maia was removed from the property and rehomed. The court heard that the Strelleys had been sending messages to a woman, asking her to claim ownership of the ponies and offering money to do so, which further demonstrated their attempt to evade responsibility.
In total, the pair faced charges of causing unnecessary suffering by neglecting veterinary and farrier care and failing to meet the ponies’ basic needs, including proper diet and a stress-free environment. Their defense claimed they loved the ponies too much to give them up and avoided veterinary treatment out of fear of breaching their ban. The remaining ponies are now under new ownership, and Maia has made a full recovery.
Inspector Hogben expressed his frustration, stating, 'Mr and Mrs Strelley have shown a total disregard for the law and the sentence handed to them. Another pony has suffered unnecessarily because of their neglect.' He praised the efforts of the veterinary professionals and the support from organizations like World Horse Welfare, emphasizing the importance of collaborative efforts in animal rescue cases.