IVAN BALLANTYNE AND JEANNIE WINSKILL FROM SOUTHWAITE, CUMBRIA, CONVICTED OF ANIMAL NEGLECT

Ivan Ballantyne, born on 29 February 1944, and Jeannie Winskill, born on 31 January 1976, both residents of 1 Beck Cottages in Southwaite, Cumbria, faced serious allegations of neglecting their animals, specifically donkeys and horses. The RSPCA intervened after a thorough investigation revealed that the welfare of these animals had been severely compromised, leading to the seizure of seven donkeys and 17 horses from their property.

Initially, both individuals denied any wrongdoing and were scheduled to stand trial in 2021. However, they later changed their pleas to guilty, admitting to multiple charges of animal cruelty. Ivan Ballantyne acknowledged causing unnecessary suffering to seven donkeys at Southwaite between January 4 and February 4, 2020. The neglect was primarily due to his failure to address the overgrown hooves of the animals, which resulted in some becoming lame. One particularly distressing case involved a Shetland pony found confined within a garden shed, suffering from pain with every step, and ultimately needing to be euthanized.

Ballantyne also admitted to neglecting the general welfare of 17 equines during the same period. His failures included not providing fresh and clean drinking water, neglecting dental and hoof care, failing to control parasites, and ignoring rain scald. The animals were left in inadequate conditions, housed in a small, dirty shelter that offered little protection from the elements. The conditions were so poor that straw bedding was soaked with faeces, urine, and rainwater, and a dead rat was discovered within the soiled straw at the back of one of the sheds. The animals had access to a muck heap topped with hay, from which two horses and some donkeys were feeding.

Jeannie Winskill pleaded guilty to the same two charges as Ballantyne, along with an additional count of causing unnecessary suffering to a Shetland pony by neglecting hoof care, which led to the animal going lame. The investigation was prompted by concerns raised by The Donkey Sanctuary, which found that the basic welfare needs of the animals were not being met. The sanctuary’s findings highlighted the urgent need for veterinary and farriery treatment for some of the donkeys.

Deputy Chief Inspector Carl Larsson from the RSPCA described the conditions at Southwaite as deplorable. He noted that the donkeys with overgrown hooves struggled to walk through the deep mud and appeared uncomfortable. The shelters provided were too small and unsanitary, with one containing a dead rat amidst soiled straw. The animals’ living conditions were severely lacking in cleanliness and space, with no adequate dry or sheltered resting areas. The Shetland pony found in the shed was confined with barely enough room to turn around and was clearly in pain, prompting an independent veterinarian to recommend immediate euthanasia to prevent further suffering.

On the day of rescue, three welfare advisers from The Donkey Sanctuary, along with Suzanne Green, a veterinary surgeon from Greenway Equine Veterinary Services, and police officers from Cumbria Police, were present. The rescued donkeys were transported to a sanctuary-funded facility where they received essential veterinary, dental, and farriery care. Since then, the animals have shown significant improvement, although some will require ongoing lifelong care due to the extent of their neglect. Ownership of the donkeys has now been transferred to The Donkey Sanctuary, which will oversee their continued recovery and rehabilitation. Some of the animals may eventually be rehomed through the charity’s scheme, while others will remain under lifelong care.

In sentencing, both Ivan Ballantyne and Jeannie Winskill received community orders, including a 16-week curfew and tagging requirement. Winskill was also ordered to complete 15 days of rehabilitation activities. Additionally, both individuals were fined £840 each in costs and charges, and they were disqualified from keeping any equines for a period of ten years. Their animals were seized and will be cared for by the sanctuary moving forward, ensuring they receive the proper treatment and attention they desperately needed.