IAN BOWMAN'S HORRIFIC ANIMAL NEGLECT IN BRIGG: DONKEYS AND PONIES RIDDLED WITH LICE AND IN KNEE-DEEP MUD

Ian Anthony Bowman, a resident of The Bungalow at Arties Mill Grounds on Wressle Road in Brigg, has been found guilty of severe animal welfare violations involving his care of donkeys and Shetland ponies. Born in October 1972, Bowman, who works professionally as a chef, neglected these animals to such an extent that they were discovered in deplorable conditions, with their hooves overgrown, coats infested with lice, and living knee-deep in muddy environments.

Bowman’s failure to provide proper care led to a series of investigations by multiple animal welfare organizations, including the RSPCA, The Donkey Sanctuary, and Bransby Horses, based in Lincoln. The authorities conducted their inquiries during January and February of 2021, uncovering distressing evidence of neglect. The animals were found to be suffering from inadequate shelter, with some donkeys and ponies repeatedly biting and scratching themselves due to lice infestations. The hooves of these animals had not been attended to for many months, and there was a clear lack of essential veterinary care such as worm control and dental treatment.

According to Mick Flower, the deputy head of prosecutions at the RSPCA, the conditions in which the animals were kept were unacceptable. He stated, “The welfare officers across the three charities discovered the three donkeys and two ponies were being kept in poor condition and had been provided with inadequate shelter. Some had live lice in their coats and significantly overgrown hooves with no evidence that a farrier had attended for many months. The animals had also not received adequate worm control or sufficient dental care.”

Bowman faced multiple charges, including causing unnecessary suffering to one donkey and failing to meet the basic needs of all five animals under his care. A veterinary witness statement highlighted the severity of neglect, emphasizing that routine preventative healthcare such as dental care, hoof trimming, and parasite control are fundamental responsibilities of responsible animal ownership. The veterinarian explained, “Dental care, hoof care, and endoparasite control are all part of the preventative healthcare that a responsible owner would provide to their equines. These are not optional extras of horse ownership and are required in order to keep the animals healthy, pain-free, and to provide good welfare standards. This horse owner has therefore neglected most of the basic preventative health care requirements of these equines and that has ultimately caused suffering in two out of five of them.”

Following the investigation, all five animals were taken into the care of Bransby Horses, where they received veterinary treatment and were gradually introduced to appropriate herds. Rachel Jenkinson, the welfare manager at Bransby Horses, expressed her concern and relief at rescuing the animals. She said, “After they were found to be living in unsuitable conditions – knee-deep in mud and riddled with lice – and without their basic needs being met, we were keen to remove these equines as soon as possible. The complex needs of donkeys and ponies are completely different and were not being met in this mixed group environment. They are now receiving the individual care they require and are flourishing after months of hard work by our teams.”

In sentencing, Bowman was ordered to pay a total of £2,330 in fines, costs, and charges. Additionally, he received a ten-year ban from owning or keeping any equine animals, although he has the right to appeal this decision after five years.