AITHNE AND JOHN DECLAN ASHURST-OSHAUGHNESSY HORSE CRUELTY SCANDAL IN ATHERTON

In a disturbing case of animal neglect and cruelty, Aithne Ashurst-O’Shaughnessy and her brother, John Declan Ashurst-O’Shaughnessy, both residents of Atherton, Wigan, faced serious charges after a series of welfare violations involving a group of Welsh-type ponies. The case was brought to light following an investigation by the RSPCA, which uncovered the dire conditions these animals endured.

Born on January 24, 1995, Aithne Ashurst-O’Shaughnessy, residing on George Street in Atherton, admitted to seven separate offences related to the care and wellbeing of seven ponies. Her brother, John Declan Ashurst-O’Shaughnessy, born on October 14, 1994, and living on Bolton Road in Atherton, pleaded guilty to four charges concerning the same group of animals. The connection to their mother, Lorraine Ashurst, a known convicted horse abuser, added a further layer of concern to the case.

The RSPCA inspectors discovered a grey mare suffering from severe neglect, with her hooves in a terrible state—overgrown, infected with an abscess, and suffering from chronic laminitis. The condition of this mare was so severe that she was lame, highlighting the neglect she had endured. In addition to her, five other ponies were found in similarly poor conditions, with no evidence that they had been protected from pain or suffering, as no farrier had been employed to care for their hooves.

The animals’ living environment was also found to be wholly inadequate. The ponies were not provided with proper shelter or suitable conditions to meet their basic needs. Most of these ponies were pregnant at the time, and tragically, one of them died due to complications during childbirth shortly after being rescued by the RSPCA. The rescue operation was prompted after the ponies escaped from their grazing area, causing chaos at a glass manufacturing site in Hindley. During their escape, they crossed a busy main road filled with traffic, posing a significant danger to both the animals and the public.

Animal welfare inspector Alison Fletcher emphasized the importance of responsible horse ownership. She stated, “This case highlights the need for responsible equine ownership. Horses need to be contained in a suitable and secure environment. There have been a lot of problems with straying horses in Wigan over the years, and it causes a risk to the animals and to people.” She further explained that the ponies’ escape and subsequent distress underscored the critical need for proper containment and care. “The ponies had got off the land where they were originally being kept, gone down a main road, and ended up on an industrial estate. It was extremely dangerous for them, and they were very fearful.”

Inspector Fletcher also pointed out the importance of routine hoof care, noting that neglecting such basic needs can cause immense suffering. “This case also highlights the basic needs horses have, like regular foot trimming. If this doesn’t happen, it can cause them immense suffering. You can’t just have a pet horse in a field. The costs of looking after them are extremely high, and people need to think through what they are going to need before they take on an equine.”

Due to their frightened state, the ponies had to be sedated for the safety of the inspectors during the rescue operation on February 2, just a day after the RSPCA was alerted to their plight. The rescue was a distressing but necessary intervention to prevent further suffering.

During the court proceedings, legal representatives provided context for the defendants’ actions. Paul Blanchard, defending Aithne Ashurst-O’Shaughnessy, explained that ownership of the horses had been transferred to her from other family members in December 2017, and she had assumed responsibility for their care. Meanwhile, Peter Leather, representing John Declan Ashurst-O’Shaughnessy, stated that his client admitted to neglect, primarily due to being tasked with maintaining the fences, ensuring the enclosure was secure, and providing hay daily.

Sentencing for the offenders was handed down with strict penalties. John Declan Ashurst-O’Shaughnessy was sentenced to 120 hours of unpaid work, ordered to pay £2,400 in costs, along with an £85 victim surcharge. Aithne Ashurst-O’Shaughnessy received a sentence of 70 hours of unpaid work, with costs amounting to £1,200 and the same victim surcharge. Both individuals were banned from keeping horses for a period of two years, and deprivation orders were issued to remove the six surviving ponies and their foals from their custody. This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of responsible animal ownership and the consequences of neglecting the welfare of vulnerable creatures in the Wigan area.