CONVICTED (2018) | Amanda Ann Munro, born 16/06/1962, of Rakehill Road, Scholes, Leeds LS15 4AL – kept a family of three Shetland ponies in disgusting conditions and failed to meet the needs of a goat Amanda Munro, who left Shetland ponies emaciated and wading in faeces, appealed her conviction for cruelty but this was upheld and her ban extended Munro, a former parish councillor for Scholes on Barwick in Elmet and Scholes Parish Council, was convicted after a trial at Bradford Crown Court in May 2017 of causing unnecessary suffering to three Shetland ponies and failing to ensure their needs were met under the Animal Welfare Act 2006. She was also convicted of failing to meet the needs of a goat. Munro neglected the animals over a period between November and December 2015. The ponies, named Cocoa, Cookie and Oreo, were kept in a paddock adjoining Munro’s home. Munro appealed against her conviction but in January 2018 this was rejected. RSPCA inspector Carol Neale said: “These ponies – who were mummy, daddy and baby – were all very thin and suffering. The conditions they were living in were simply disgusting. They were literally wading in faeces, it was that bad, just a stone’s throw from Munro’s home. “The goat was housed in a building on the same field. When we attended he was shut in there alone with no access to food or water, and had overgrown hooves. “All we could hear when we were dealing with the ponies was the goat calling to us from a tiny window. Munro said the door had jammed so she couldn’t get inside, and we had to break it down to get to him.” She was originally banned from owning, keeping, dealing or transporting equines or goats for five years but this was extended to life. The animals were removed on veterinary advice in December 2016 and placed in the care of charity World Horse Welfare. World Horse Welfare field officer Sarah Tucker said: “This has been a long drawn out case but I am very happy with the outcome. “When I attended the location, the three of them were all huddled in a corner looking dull and lethargic. “This situation could have been easily rectified by providing good quality food and a clean living environment.” Sentencing: 12 month community order, including 200 hours of unpaid work; £3,250 costs. Banned from keeping equines and goats for life – with no appeal against the disqualification for seven years. A deprivation order was placed on the three ponies and goat and an order was made to confiscate a further 10 equines remaining in Munro’s care.  Horse & Hound