ALICE JONES FROM GLOUCESTER SENTENCED FOR STARVING PONY AT PACKTHORN FARM

In a distressing case that highlights the importance of animal welfare, Alice Mary Louise Jones, born on August 25, 1997, and residing on Saintbridge Road, Longford, Gloucester GL2 9FN, was found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to a pony named Blue. The incident took place between February 19, 2016, and March 3, 2016, during which Jones failed to investigate or address the severe weight loss and emaciation that Blue was suffering from. This neglect was in direct violation of Section 4 of the Animal Welfare Act 2006, which mandates responsible care and attention for animals under one’s custody.

Blue, the pony in question, was discovered in a critically weakened state, collapsed in a barn at Packthorn Farm, located on Whitminster Lane in Frampton on Severn. The discovery was made after a concerned member of the public reported seeing the animal in a dire condition. The RSPCA was promptly contacted and responded to the scene, where inspector Mark Lewis was among the first to assess the situation. He described the heartbreaking scene, stating, “Sadly Blue had been starved to the point when he was incredibly thin and unable to stand.”

Inspector Lewis further explained the severity of Blue’s condition, revealing that the pony was in such a terrible state that euthanasia was deemed necessary to prevent further suffering. “Unfortunately he was in such a terrible state that he had to be immediately put to sleep to ease his suffering,” he said. A post-mortem examination confirmed that Blue’s condition was not caused by any underlying disease but was solely due to neglect, specifically the lack of adequate food and care.

Jones’s failure to act or investigate the cause of Blue’s weight loss demonstrated a blatant disregard for her animal’s welfare. The court found her guilty of causing unnecessary suffering, emphasizing that owners have a fundamental responsibility to care for their animals properly. Allowing Blue to deteriorate to such a shocking extent was deemed inexcusable by the authorities.

In sentencing, Jones was ordered to complete 180 hours of unpaid work and was required to pay a total of £660 in costs and charges. Additionally, she was disqualified from keeping horses for a period of five years, a ban that expired in January 2022. This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of animal welfare laws and the consequences of neglecting those responsibilities.