THOMAS TONY PRICE AND LUANNE BISHOP'S HORRIFIC ANIMAL CRUELTY IN BONVILSTON AND WICK

In a disturbing case of animal neglect and cruelty, Thomas Tony Price, a notorious figure known as the 'Gypsy Horse King,' along with his partner Luanne Bishop, have been found guilty of subjecting numerous horses and sheep to inhumane conditions at various locations around Bonvilston, Wick, and Coity. The case, which has garnered significant attention from local authorities and animal welfare organizations, highlights the ongoing issues of animal mistreatment in the region.

Thomas Tony Price, born on June 3, 1964, has a long history of animal abuse prosecutions. His latest conviction involved 32 counts of failing to provide a suitable environment for horses and sheep, which resulted in his sentencing to six months in prison. Additionally, he has been permanently banned from keeping any animals, a punishment that reflects the severity of his repeated offenses. The court was told that Price had consistently failed to manage his animals properly, often keeping them in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions, with some suffering from untreated open wounds and maggot infestations.

District Judge Neil Thomas, presiding over the case, expressed his disapproval of Price’s conduct, emphasizing that the evidence against him was compelling. The judge pointed out that Price had obstructed officers during their investigations at one of his sites, further demonstrating a blatant disregard for animal welfare and the law. The authorities uncovered animals living in deplorable conditions, with many left to suffer in mud-filled enclosures, lacking access to clean water and adequate food. The situation was so dire that some animals had to be euthanized under veterinary supervision due to their suffering.

In addition to Price, his partner Luanne Bishop faced charges related to the same cases. She pleaded guilty to 31 counts and was sentenced to a 12-week custodial sentence, which was suspended for 12 months. Bishop was also ordered to wear an electronic tag during this period and adhere to a night-time curfew from 9 pm to 6 am. Like Price, she received a lifetime ban on keeping animals, with exceptions for certain pets. Her actions and the conditions she allowed to persist contributed significantly to the suffering of the animals involved.

The case was prosecuted under the Animal Welfare Act by Shared Regulatory Services, which oversees environmental health, trading standards, and licensing across the Bridgend, Cardiff, and Vale of Glamorgan areas. Dave Holland, head of the service, stated that Price’s history of mistreatment underscores the importance of strict enforcement. He emphasized that the authorities are prepared to take decisive action, including seizing and caring for animals, to prevent such neglect from recurring. Holland highlighted the extensive costs involved in rescuing and rehabilitating the animals, which included a large number of horses seized from multiple sites.

Among the animals rescued were sheep suffering from maggot-infested wounds, with some carcasses found at the Wick site in August 2019. The remaining sheep were also found to be in poor health, leading to the decision to euthanize the most severely affected. In January 2020, further inspections revealed that Price was keeping horses in appalling conditions at sites in Bonvilston, Coity, and Wick. The horses were found standing in deep mud, with no access to clean water or sufficient forage. Hazards such as sharp metal and barbed wire littered the sites, and some horses were overcrowded and kept in filthy conditions with no space to lie down. Several of these horses were underweight and had long-standing wounds caused by ill-fitting rugs.

In total, authorities seized 240 horses from across the three locations, a move supported by the RSPCA and Redwings Horse Sanctuary. Representatives from these organizations expressed their relief and satisfaction with the successful prosecution, noting that many of the horses had been living in unsuitable conditions and were now on the path to recovery. Nic de Brauwere, Redwings’ head of welfare and veterinary surgeon, described witnessing the shocking conditions firsthand and praised the joint efforts of local authorities, police, and welfare charities in rescuing the animals. He emphasized that this case underscores the importance of vigilance and enforcement to prevent future neglect.

As the legal proceedings concluded, Price was sentenced to six months in prison and received a lifetime ban on keeping animals. Bishop’s sentence was suspended, but she was required to wear an electronic tag and observe a curfew. The case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing battle against animal cruelty in the region and the commitment of authorities and charities to protect vulnerable animals from such egregious neglect.