THOMAS PRICE THE GYPSY HORSE KING OF BONVILSTON JAILED OVER HORRIFIC ANIMAL ABUSE IN WALES

In April 2021, Thomas Price, a man widely known as the 'gypsy horse king' of Wales and based in Bonvilston, was sentenced to prison and received a lifetime ban from keeping animals following a shocking case of animal cruelty. The court heard how Price had allowed over 200 horses and sheep to suffer in appalling conditions, with many animals subjected to neglect and abuse that ultimately led to their deaths.

Authorities from the Vale of Glamorgan Council conducted an inspection at Price's farm in Wick, Glamorgan, in August 2019. During this visit, officials discovered sheep covered in maggots, carcasses of dead animals, and numerous unshorn, neglected horses. The conditions were described as 'atrocious,' with some animals found in extremely deep mud, struggling to survive due to a lack of basic necessities such as food and water.

Further investigations revealed that by January of the following year, 240 horses were spread across two different sites associated with Price. These animals were found amidst hazards like sharp metal debris and barbed wire, posing serious risks to their health and safety. The authorities identified that many of these horses were significantly underweight, with some suffering from long-standing wounds caused by ill-fitting rugs, indicating prolonged neglect.

Price, a dealer of gypsy cobs, has a long history of animal welfare violations. He was previously prosecuted for mistreating animals and had been banned from keeping any animals for five years. Residents in the area had often complained about his horses running loose through local villages, causing chaos and property damage. These incidents led to the widespread recognition of Price as Wales' 'gypsy horse king.'

In 2013, Price was convicted of 57 animal welfare offences, with a RSPCA officer describing his horses as 'the most poorly and diseased horses I have come across.' His reputation for neglect continued, and in 2016, he was banned from approaching within 50 meters of any horses. Despite these restrictions, the recent case revealed a continued pattern of cruelty and neglect.

During the trial, Price appeared alongside his former partner, Luanne Bishop, who had previously pleaded guilty to 31 charges related to the case. Both were prosecuted over an eight-day hearing. Price was found guilty on multiple counts of causing unnecessary suffering, including the neglect of eight horses, some of which were severely underweight or had wounds caused by poor treatment. Bishop received a 12-week suspended custodial sentence, which will be served with an electronic tag and a night-time curfew from 9 pm to 6 am. She was also disqualified from keeping any animals for life, with the exception of certain pets.

Overall, this case highlights the ongoing issues of animal cruelty linked to individuals like Thomas Price in Wales, and the legal actions taken reflect the seriousness with which authorities are addressing such neglect and abuse.