JOHN HOLLAND'S HORRIFIC HORSE ABUSE IN BRIDGWATER AND NORTH CURY
| Red Rose Database
Bridgwater Animal Abuser
John Holland, a resident of Tapmoor, Moorlinch, Bridgwater, with connections to Green Acres travellers site on Oxen Lane, North Curry, Taunton, was found guilty of neglecting his horses in a series of disturbing incidents that drew the attention of animal welfare authorities. Born on December 25, 1966, Holland’s failure to provide proper care for his equines has resulted in a significant legal and welfare crackdown.
On August 3, 2022, the RSPCA, in collaboration with the World Horse Welfare charity, responded to a distress call concerning a field located off Castle Hill in Banwell, North Somerset. The investigation revealed a heartbreaking scene: horses kept in deplorable conditions, suffering from starvation and surrounded by numerous hazards. Holland, known locally as a Romany gypsy and notorious for previous fraudulent activities targeting pensioners, had been warned earlier, on July 29, 2022, about the dire state of his horses, but failed to act.
Inspector Kim Walters, who led the investigation, reported that the horses had no access to water, and the field was devoid of adequate grazing. Instead, the animals were seen consuming moldy, dirty hay, which offered no nutritional value. The environment was littered with dangers, including ragwort, loose wires, nails, broken glass, and sharp machinery edges, all posing serious risks of injury. The water container was surrounded by hazardous debris, further emphasizing the neglect.
Holland was instructed to make urgent improvements, such as providing a continuous supply of fresh water and supplementary feed. Despite these directives, subsequent visits by Inspector Walters uncovered ongoing issues. On September 14, 2022, Holland received an official warning notice from the RSPCA, highlighting his obligation under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 to meet the basic needs of his horses. The notice warned that failure to comply could constitute criminal offenses.
During a follow-up inspection on September 23, 2022, the situation had deteriorated further. The horses were found in a state of dullness and quietness, with three of them in poor physical condition, ribs and spines prominently visible. No additional hay had been provided, and the animals appeared emaciated and lethargic. The police intervened, seizing the horses for veterinary examination. The vet’s assessment confirmed that three of the animals were suffering due to neglect, with signs of hunger, muscle wasting, and overall poor health.
One mare, affectionately named Girl, was observed with her foal at her side. The foal was heavily reliant on its mother for nutrition, which was compromised by the mare’s poor body condition. The vet’s report detailed the environment as unsuitable for the horses, citing minimal grazing, absence of supplementary feeding, and the presence of poisonous ragwort in the pasture. The field was littered with objects such as protruding nails, broken plastic shards, machinery parts, and wire mesh, all of which could cause severe injuries.
As a result of his neglect, Holland was sentenced to 150 hours of unpaid work, ordered to pay £400 in costs, and was banned from keeping any horses or other equines for ten years, a ban that will last until April 2033. This case underscores the importance of animal welfare laws and the consequences of neglecting the most basic needs of vulnerable animals in the Bridgwater area and beyond.
On August 3, 2022, the RSPCA, in collaboration with the World Horse Welfare charity, responded to a distress call concerning a field located off Castle Hill in Banwell, North Somerset. The investigation revealed a heartbreaking scene: horses kept in deplorable conditions, suffering from starvation and surrounded by numerous hazards. Holland, known locally as a Romany gypsy and notorious for previous fraudulent activities targeting pensioners, had been warned earlier, on July 29, 2022, about the dire state of his horses, but failed to act.
Inspector Kim Walters, who led the investigation, reported that the horses had no access to water, and the field was devoid of adequate grazing. Instead, the animals were seen consuming moldy, dirty hay, which offered no nutritional value. The environment was littered with dangers, including ragwort, loose wires, nails, broken glass, and sharp machinery edges, all posing serious risks of injury. The water container was surrounded by hazardous debris, further emphasizing the neglect.
Holland was instructed to make urgent improvements, such as providing a continuous supply of fresh water and supplementary feed. Despite these directives, subsequent visits by Inspector Walters uncovered ongoing issues. On September 14, 2022, Holland received an official warning notice from the RSPCA, highlighting his obligation under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 to meet the basic needs of his horses. The notice warned that failure to comply could constitute criminal offenses.
During a follow-up inspection on September 23, 2022, the situation had deteriorated further. The horses were found in a state of dullness and quietness, with three of them in poor physical condition, ribs and spines prominently visible. No additional hay had been provided, and the animals appeared emaciated and lethargic. The police intervened, seizing the horses for veterinary examination. The vet’s assessment confirmed that three of the animals were suffering due to neglect, with signs of hunger, muscle wasting, and overall poor health.
One mare, affectionately named Girl, was observed with her foal at her side. The foal was heavily reliant on its mother for nutrition, which was compromised by the mare’s poor body condition. The vet’s report detailed the environment as unsuitable for the horses, citing minimal grazing, absence of supplementary feeding, and the presence of poisonous ragwort in the pasture. The field was littered with objects such as protruding nails, broken plastic shards, machinery parts, and wire mesh, all of which could cause severe injuries.
As a result of his neglect, Holland was sentenced to 150 hours of unpaid work, ordered to pay £400 in costs, and was banned from keeping any horses or other equines for ten years, a ban that will last until April 2033. This case underscores the importance of animal welfare laws and the consequences of neglecting the most basic needs of vulnerable animals in the Bridgwater area and beyond.