KELLY HARRISON FROM BOLTON WOODS SENTENCED FOR HORSE NEGLECT IN BRADFORD

Kelly Harrison, also known as Kelly Rand, a resident of Bolton Hall Road in Bolton Woods, Bradford BD2 1BE, was found guilty in 2014 of severe neglect towards three young horses, an act that ultimately led to the death of two of the animals. The case drew significant attention from animal welfare authorities and the local community, highlighting the serious consequences of neglect and the importance of responsible animal care.

In 2021, images of Kelly Harrison, under her alias Kelly Rand, surfaced, showing her in connection with the case. The court proceedings revealed that Harrison had pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to the trio of horses, all of whom were between seven and nine months old. One of these horses was so weak that it collapsed in the field, prompting intervention by RSPCA officers who discovered the animals in an extremely emaciated state. The surviving horse was later re-homed, but the other two had already succumbed to neglect.

During the investigation, RSPCA officers reported that the horses were found in a deplorable condition, with no adequate food or clean water available. Nigel Monaghan, the prosecutor, described the scene: “There was no supplementary food supply for them and a very small amount of dirty water on offer. The grass in the field was very poor, the field was very muddy and there was no shelter for the animals.” He further explained that the horses had been suffering for weeks, possibly months, due to a lack of proper nutrition and care, as confirmed by veterinary assessments.

In her defense, Harrison claimed that she had no intention of causing suffering and that she had been feeding each horse a bale of hay daily. Her solicitor, John Raj, argued that her circumstances and lack of knowledge had contributed to the neglect. He emphasized that Harrison was overwhelmed by the responsibility of caring for three ponies with limited financial resources. It was also revealed that she had purchased two of the horses for between £15 and £20 each, and the third was given to her free of charge. The animals were already in poor health when she took them in, driven by a sense of pity rather than malicious intent.

Sentencing in the case included a requirement for Harrison to complete 80 hours of unpaid work. She was also ordered to pay costs and charges totaling £250. Additionally, she received a ten-year ban from owning or caring for any horses, a restriction that was set to expire in October 2024.

However, in September 2015, Harrison was brought back to court after violating her disqualification order. She was photographed riding horses at the annual travellers fair in Appleby, Cumbria, which was a clear breach of her ban. As a result, she was ordered to pay a further fine of £500, underscoring the ongoing issues related to her conduct and the importance of enforcing animal welfare laws.