HORSE ABUSE IN ROTHWELL: CLAIRE JONES'S CRUELTY SHOCKS KETTERING

Claire Jones, born on September 28, 1973, and residing at Market Hill in Rothwell, Kettering NN14 6BW, has been found guilty of keeping her horses in conditions that can only be described as both cruel and degrading. Her case was brought to light after a series of inspections and investigations by the RSPCA, revealing the severe neglect and suffering endured by her animals.

On April 14, 2022, an inspector from World Horse Welfare visited Jones's property in Rothwell, where she was housing her horses. The inspection uncovered a scene of neglect: the stable was extremely dirty, emitting a strong, unpleasant odor. The environment was far from suitable for any living creature, especially horses, and the conditions of the stable reflected a blatant disregard for animal welfare. The inspector noted that the horses were kept in a dark, filthy space, surrounded by their own feces, with no straw bedding or any form of proper comfort. The situation was so dire that the inspector immediately provided Jones with advice on how to improve the care of her horses and recommended thorough cleaning of the stable.

Despite these warnings, attempts to revisit the property over the following ten days were thwarted as the gates remained locked. The RSPCA, determined to ensure the animals' welfare, applied for a warrant to access the premises. On April 28, they returned with police officers and a veterinarian, gaining entry to the property. What they discovered was distressing: two horses, a 12-year-old mare named Pixie and a two-year-old colt named Gary, were found in conditions described as 'unsuitable and unhygienic.' Both animals were severely underweight, with their ribs, hips, and spines clearly visible, indicating prolonged malnutrition.

Pixie, in particular, was in a dire state. She exhibited patches of hair loss, a clear sign of lice infestation, and her hooves were overgrown, cracked, and split, further evidence of neglect. Gary was visibly excitable upon emerging from the stable, yet his condition was equally alarming. His bones were prominent, and he too suffered from hair loss and lice. The colt had hardened, matted feces stuck to his hair because there was no bedding, forcing him to lie directly on the stable floor. Additionally, Gary had urine scalds on his legs, a painful condition caused by prolonged exposure to urine, and his hooves were overgrown, cracked, and split, similar to Pixie’s.

The ground within the stable was saturated with urine, creating an unhygienic environment that posed serious health risks to the animals. The veterinarian confirmed that both horses had been suffering for several months, and a farrier who examined the ponies in May estimated that their hooves had not been trimmed for between six and eight months. Despite receiving warning notices from the RSPCA, Jones failed to heed the advice or take corrective action, which further compounded the neglect.

During her interview, Jones admitted to having limited experience with horses. She explained that she used straw bedding previously but stopped because Gary would eat it. She also believed that the skin issues observed on her horses were caused by fleas, and she attempted to treat them with white vinegar, but she did not notice the sores or realize the severity of their condition. She acknowledged that the horses were somewhat lean and described her stable as a 'shit tip.' Jones stated that money was not an issue and expressed confusion as to why she had not called a vet to address the horses' health problems.

Eventually, Jones signed over ownership of the horses and pleaded guilty to three animal welfare offences, including causing unnecessary suffering to protected animals. The court was told that her neglect had been so severe that the animals' survival was a matter of luck. District Judge Amar Mehta emphasized the gravity of the case, stating that her actions crossed the threshold for custodial sentencing but narrowly avoided imprisonment. The judge described the conditions in which the horses were kept as shocking, noting that the photographs presented in court made even him shudder.

In sentencing, Jones received a 26-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, along with 150 hours of unpaid work. She was also ordered to pay costs and a surcharge totaling £654. Furthermore, she was disqualified from keeping any animals for a period of ten years, a measure intended to prevent her from causing further harm to animals in the future.