ANDY BAGNALL'S SHOCKING ATTACK ON PONY IN BIRMINGHAM LEAVES COMMUNITY IN OUTRAGE

In a disturbing incident that has sent shockwaves through the Birmingham community, farrier Andy Bagnall, born circa 1976 and residing at 32 Brooks Road, Wylde Green, Sutton Coldfield B72 1HP, has been officially removed from the Farriers Registration Committee (FRC) register following allegations of serious misconduct involving an animal. The incident, which took place in October 2022, involved Bagnall allegedly punching and kicking a customer's pony, an act that has sparked widespread condemnation and concern over animal cruelty.

Although Bagnall has not yet faced formal prosecution for animal cruelty, the owners of the pony, along with authorities, have reported the matter to both the police and the RSPCA. The FRC disciplinary committee convened in October 2023 to review the complaint against Bagnall, and after a thorough investigation, they decided to remove him from the professional register due to the severity of the misconduct. Bagnall subsequently appealed this decision to the High Court, but his appeal was dismissed in July 2024.

The incident occurred at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Davies, where Bagnall was performing his duties as a farrier, trimming the hooves of their 13-year-old daughter Sophie’s pony, named Shakira. During the session, Sophie and her mother were present when the pony unexpectedly bit Bagnall on the head. According to reports, Bagnall responded to this bite by punching the pony, and then proceeded to kick her multiple times, followed by additional punches. These actions have been described as serious misconduct, leading to his removal from the FRC register.

In his defense, Bagnall claimed that he did not punch or kick the pony. He stated that his only physical contact with Shakira was when he lifted his elbow to protect himself from the pony’s bite, which he described as “excruciating” pain. He insisted that he had instinctively reacted to the pain and denied any deliberate assault on the animal.

However, the disciplinary committee found the evidence against Bagnall compelling. They determined that the allegation of punching was not substantiated, but the claims of kicking and punching the pony had been proven, constituting serious misconduct. The committee emphasized that such behavior was unacceptable and warranted the removal of Bagnall from the professional register. Bagnall appealed the decision, arguing that the findings were unfounded, but Justice Eyre dismissed his appeal, stating that “there is no substance in the grounds whether considered separately or cumulatively and the appeal is to be dismissed.”

During the proceedings, Bagnall explained that his reaction was a reflexive response to the pain caused by the bite, and he denied intentionally harming the pony. The committee, however, found it “highly improbable” that the Davies family and their daughter would have fabricated such a detailed account of Bagnall kicking and punching the pony, especially given the immediate call to a veterinarian following the incident. The vet confirmed that Mrs. Davies contacted them almost immediately after the event, expressing concern about possible trauma to the pony’s abdomen, which further supported the credibility of the owners’ account.

Additional factors considered by the committee included the fact that Bagnall left the premises without accepting payment for his work, which was interpreted as an acknowledgment that something had gone wrong during the appointment. The incident was also viewed as an impulsive reaction triggered by the earlier bite, which the committee acknowledged as an unprofessional and unacceptable response. Despite recognizing Bagnall’s skill and reputation as a highly regarded farrier, the committee concluded that the seriousness of the misconduct outweighed any mitigation, leading to his removal from the register.

This case has raised serious concerns about animal welfare and the conduct of professionals working with animals in Birmingham and beyond. The community continues to demand accountability and assurances that such incidents will be thoroughly addressed to prevent future occurrences.