CHRISTY LEIGH JONES FROM DARLINGTON BANNED AFTER HORSE ABUSE SCANDAL

Christy Leigh Jones, a resident of Darlington, has been found guilty of severe animal neglect involving her horses kept at her property on 21 The Mead. The conviction, which was handed down in 2020, resulted in a substantial ban preventing her from owning or caring for horses until December 2025. The case drew significant attention from animal welfare authorities due to the deplorable conditions in which the animals were found.

Investigators from the RSPCA, led by Inspector Gemma Lynch, uncovered shocking details during their inspection of Jones’s stables. The premises were described as being in a state of extreme filth, with the horses standing in inches of accumulated faeces. The environment was characterized by a strong, pervasive smell of urine and waste, and the stables had not been properly cleaned for at least six months, according to the inspection report.

One of the most distressing aspects of the case was the condition of the horses’ hooves. Veterinary assessments revealed that the animals’ hooves had been left untrimmed for over a year in some cases. Micky, Paddy, and Dinky’s hooves had not been attended to for at least 12 months, while Dinky and Rainbowdash had not received hoof care for six months or longer. This neglect caused their hooves to become painfully overgrown, a condition that can lead to severe health issues and mobility problems for the animals.

The veterinary report detailed the appalling environment in which the horses were kept. It stated that the horses had been living in their own excrement, with some having faecal matter matted into their hair. The conditions posed a significant health risk, and the report emphasized that the stables had not been properly managed for at least six months. The poor state of the environment was deemed unacceptable by the veterinary professionals involved.

During the investigation, it was necessary to clear piles of sodden straw and faeces from the central aisle of the stables to allow the horses to be led out safely. The stable doors of Micky, Paddy, and Dinky were being pushed open by the buildup of bedding, creating gaps that could potentially trap a horse’s leg, further endangering their safety.

As a result of the investigation, two of the horses have already been rehomed, and efforts are underway to find suitable homes for the remaining three. The case highlights the importance of animal welfare laws and the consequences of neglecting the basic needs of animals. Jones was ordered to pay costs amounting to £840 and received a five-year ban on keeping horses, which will remain in effect until December 2025.