WENDY HYLTON OF STANTON DREW SENTENCED FOR ANIMAL WELFARE OFFENCES IN SOMERSET

Wendy Hylton, born around 1948 and residing in Stanton Drew, Somerset BS39, was convicted in 2019 for failing to provide proper hoof care for two ponies. Hylton pleaded guilty to two offences following a prosecution by the RSPCA.

Concerns were raised about two Shetland ponies, named Tonto and Midnight, after one of them appeared unable to walk. On May 25, 2019, RSPCA officers, accompanied by a veterinarian, attended the scene. The vet’s clinical examination revealed Tonto was in significant pain and unable to walk due to severely overgrown hooves and laminitis. Midnight was also found to have overgrown hooves.

Both ponies were seized by police and subsequently taken into the care of a specialist equine charity, where they received necessary treatment and care.

RSPCA inspector Miranda Albinson commented, "Providing regular and routine farriery (shoeing of horse care) is a vital part of owning equines. Cases like this are very sad as they could so easily be avoided with the correct care."

The offences occurred between March 24 and May 24, 2019, near Radford Hill, Timsbury. They were found to be in violation of Section 4(1) and Section 9(1) of the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

Hylton was sentenced to a four-month curfew, ordered to pay £385 in costs and charges, and received a lifetime ban on keeping animals.