Ban for owner of “thinnest” horses RSPCA inspector had ever seen
Leeds magistrates told Philip Ewen he could not own horses for seven years after the 62-year-old admitted causing unnecessary suffering to animals.
The court heard Ewen kept thoroughbred geldings Bobb and Sonnie in a field off Mill Lane in South Milford.
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Hide AdRSPCA inspectors were called after a member of the public raised concerns about their conditions in August last year.
But Ewen failed to take action after being told by a vet that he needed to get the animals – both in their twenties – wormed.
About five weeks later another horse owner, Joy Anderson, found the pair in a worse state.
The court heard Bobb, who lost about 40kgs in weight during that time, was barely able to stand because he was so weak.
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Hide AdMrs Anderson took the horses to her own stables because of her concerns about their health.
Prosecutor Andrew Davidson told the court: “Everybody at the stables was in tears due to the condition the horses were in.”
RSPCA inspector Carol Neale said: “Bobb especially was the thinnest horse I’ve ever seen alive. I was shocked when I saw their condition – and I’ve been an inspector for 23 years, so that’s saying a lot.”
The court heard Ewen, of Middleton Terrace, Ulleskelf, near Selby, had owned horses for 40 years and had never been in trouble before. He was given a 12-month community order with 120 hours of unpaid work and ordered to pay £2,400 in legal costs.
The two horses have now made a full recovery and are in need of new homes. Call Carol Neale on 0300 1234999.