CONVICTED (2021) | David Charles Boxall, born 7 May 1960, and wife Susan M Boxall, born 28 January 1955, of 2 Turbary Close, Parkstone, Poole BH12 4HD – for neglect and starvation of two alpacas and a horse Dave Boxall (pictured) and wife Sue neglected animals on their Dorset smallholding, including alpaca Leo, whose emaciated remains were discovered by the RSPCA. The Boxalls refused to call in a vet after their alpacas – named Leo (pictured) and Reggie – fell into poor health due to the couple’s “prolonged neglect”. When an RSPCA inspector carried out visits to their smallholding in Lytchett Matravers, Dorset, earlier in 2021 they found the alpacas severely underweight with overgrown nails and fleeces. Leo had already died while Reggie had to be put down later. A court heard the mammals died from either septicaemia or pneumonia which would have been preventable had the Boxalls sought help for them. The RSPCA inspector also found a horse called Eddie in a poor state of health due to neglect. Matthew Knight, prosecuting for the RSPCA, told the court: “The horse was severely underweight, had poor teeth and trouble eating. “Mr Boxall told inspectors nothing was wrong, he was just old and had lost some muscle due to lack of exercise. “A reasonable owner would always seek vet advice for that amount of weight loss. That degree of loss would have taken a considerable time to happen, at least a month, and could have been avoided with proper nourishment and suitable worming. “Leo was very underweight and the coat was long, thick and matted, the nails were overgrown and twisted. The cause of death was either septicaemia or pneumonia and could have been entirely preventable if a suitable worming treatment had been put in place. “Mr Boxall said he had kept horses for 50 years and alpacas for seven years. He disagreed with officers that the horse needed treatment and said ‘it wasn’t that bad’ and it was ‘old age’. “These animals were patently in need of care and assistance but these defendants who think they know better resisted advice and that has led to the suffering of these animals. The Boxalls denied any wrongdoing but were found guilty of eight offences each relating to causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal and duty of care for the animals. Magistrates agreed the case passed the custody threshold, but decided to suspend the prison after hearing the couple were carers for their disabled son. Sentencing: 18 weeks in prison, suspended for 18 months. Ordered to pay £1,406 costs between them. Disqualified from owning horses and alpacas for five years (expires December 2026). Dorset Echo