PERTH HORSE NEGLECT CASE: DONNA BREEN'S CRUELTY REVEALED IN SHOCKING ANIMAL ABUSE SCANDAL

Donna Breen, a resident of Perth, was found guilty in 2022 of severe neglect and mistreatment of her horses, which resulted in tragic consequences for the animals under her care. The case uncovered disturbing details about her failure to provide basic necessities such as proper nutrition and veterinary care.

At her former residence on Nimmo Place, Perth, Breen neglected two horses, Destiny and Farrah, leaving them in a state of extreme emaciation. The neglect was so severe that Destiny had to be euthanized after being discovered in a skeletal condition, having fallen seriously ill due to consuming dry sugar beet that was unsuitable for her diet. The horses were kept at her then-home near Wester Sunnyside, close to Methven, where the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) inspectors conducted their investigation.

During the inspection, inspectors found another horse, Farrah, also in a dire state of starvation, with ribs prominently visible and her entire body weight dangerously low. The condition of both horses was so alarming that they required immediate intervention. Breen admitted to causing both animals unnecessary suffering through her neglect, acknowledging that during most of November and December 2019, she had failed to act appropriately, either through direct actions or omissions, which led to their suffering.

The case was initiated after Inspector Katherine Aitchison received a complaint on December 20, 2019, about a horse that had recently died due to malnutrition in Perthshire. She was informed that a second horse was in poor condition. Upon visiting the scene, Inspector Aitchison was accompanied by Breen’s neighbor, Philip Rolfe, who explained that he and his wife, Sarah-Jane, had been approached by the Breen family on December 18 for assistance with Destiny, who had gorged on unsoaked sugar beet. Rolfe described how he immediately recognized the severity of the situation when he saw the horses—Destiny and Farrah—both in a skeletal state, with Destiny exhibiting froth from her mouth and nostrils, signs of distress requiring urgent veterinary attention.

Despite recognizing the horses' critical condition, Breen claimed she could not afford veterinary treatment. As a result, Rolfe contacted Tay Valley Vets for help. Destiny was subsequently humanely euthanized by the veterinary team on December 19, with her carcass removed the following day. The surviving horse, Farrah, was also in a severely emaciated condition, with all ribs visible and her hips protruding. Inspector Aitchison noted that her weight was far below what would be acceptable for her size, age, and breed, although the full extent of her emaciation was only apparent upon physical examination.

Veterinary assessments confirmed that Farrah’s weight loss was not due to any medical condition but was most likely caused by inadequate feeding. The veterinary report emphasized that her condition was easily recognizable even to untrained observers, highlighting the neglect she had suffered. Farrah was taken to an SSPCA facility and later transferred to a horse welfare charity for ongoing care.

Further details revealed that Destiny had broken into a feed store at Breen’s home and consumed dry sugar beet, which caused a condition known as choke—a blockage in her oesophagus that caused distress and prevented her from eating or drinking. The veterinary report stated Destiny was approximately 100 kilograms underweight at the time of her death. Given her prognosis and suffering, the decision was made to euthanize her, as her condition was deemed hopeless. The report also indicated that her suffering could have been prevented had proper veterinary advice or treatment been sought earlier.

During police interviews, Breen claimed she had owned Destiny for five months and her young daughter had owned Farrah for a year. She stated, “If they were sick, I’d call the vet.” However, when informed she was being charged with animal neglect, she responded, “But it wasn’t me that killed her. It was the vet that put water down her throat on top of dry food. The neighbour gave rubbish food advice.”

In her defense, solicitor John McLaughlin described Breen as someone who struggles with emotional expression and understanding complex concepts, stating, “She doesn’t show emotion and she keeps things bottled up all the time. She describes herself as simple, and she has difficulty understanding a number of concepts.” The court ultimately sentenced her to an 18-month supervision order, banned her from owning animals indefinitely, with the possibility of appeal after three years.

In a subsequent case in May 2024, Breen appeared before the court again after authorities discovered a disturbing scene at her home. Officers from the Scottish SPCA, local council, and police forced entry into her residence after she refused access, uncovering a “putrid” environment filled with dead and emaciated animals. The scene included the skeletal remains of guinea pigs, hamsters, a rabbit, and a dog, all kept in cramped, filthy conditions. One guinea pig was so neglected that officers initially believed it was dead until a photograph was taken, which elicited a weak response from the animal.

The investigation revealed that two guinea pigs had to be euthanized after rescue, and the dog, a Patterdale terrier named Rusty, was found in a small, covered cage, never walked, and severely dehydrated. Rusty was so distressed by the sound of running water that he fixated on it. The officers also found a rat in a cage with no access to water and no visible food, along with multiple other deceased small mammals in various stages of decomposition. The conditions were described as horrific, with extensive hoarding and neglect evident throughout the property.

The animals that survived were taken to veterinary clinics for assessment. The guinea pigs weighed half of what they should, and the rabbit exhibited fur loss and raw, painful skin. Breen, still residing at Nimmo Place, Perth, admitted to charges related to neglecting animals in her care between February 1 and May 13, 2022, at her previous homes in Perth and Methven. Her solicitor, Linda Clark, explained that Breen had experienced significant personal loss in 2020, with her husband and mother passing away, leading to a chaotic lifestyle at the time of the neglect. She argued that Breen was overwhelmed and unable to properly care for the animals.

Judge Alison McKay described the conditions as “horrific” and emphasized the need for appropriate punishment. She stated, “The narration of the conditions in which you kept these animals is, frankly, horrific. The court has to consider custody, but I am satisfied there is an alternative.” As a result, Breen was banned from owning any animals for the next ten years, with the order set to expire in May 2034, reflecting the severity of her neglect and the ongoing risk she poses to animal welfare.