KYLA MARTIN'S HORRIFIC NEGLECT IN STOKE-ON-TRENT: HORSE LEFT TO DROWN IN FLOODED FIELD

Kyla Martin, born on November 20, 1990, and residing on Rodgers Street in Stoke-on-Trent, was found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to her horse, Delta, a 22-year-old mare. The incident took place in a waterlogged field in Talke, Stoke-on-Trent, where Martin had left her horse unattended without providing adequate shelter or access to a dry, safe area to rest.

According to reports, the field had become so flooded earlier in 2017 that animal health officers from the local council were unable to reach the horse for a period of eight days. During this time, the mare was left in an environment that was increasingly hazardous due to the rising water levels. When the officers finally accessed the field, they discovered Delta's body submerged in a spring within the field, leading them to presume she had drowned. However, it was noted that the officers could not definitively confirm the cause of death.

In her defense, Kyla Martin claimed she was unaware of the spring in the field, which contributed to her neglect. The court heard that Martin's actions, or lack thereof, demonstrated a clear failure to ensure her animal's well-being. The local council emphasized that individuals responsible for animals have a duty to care for them properly and to prevent suffering.

Following the hearing, Cllr Gill Heath, the council’s leader on trading standards, stated, “People who keep any animal have a duty to ensure they are well cared for and kept free from harm.” She further explained that the judge recognized the severity of the neglect, which resulted in the horse suffering in unsuitable conditions, and consequently, Martin was banned from keeping horses for a period of three years.

The court also ordered Kyla Martin to pay a fine of £1,579 along with associated costs. Her three-year ban from keeping horses was in effect until December 2020. The case drew attention to the importance of animal welfare and the responsibilities of owners in Staffordshire, where local authorities actively work with horse owners and businesses to promote responsible care and enforce legislation.

In an update from July 2022, it was revealed that Kyla Martin, known for previous offenses, appeared again before the courts. This time, she faced charges related to cruelty towards a young lurcher named Poppy, who was found badly injured. As a result, she received a community sentence, and her ban was extended to cover all animals for an additional three years, underscoring her ongoing issues with animal welfare.