LOUISE EMSLIE'S HORRIFIC ANIMAL NEGLECT IN SKENE LEADS TO TEN-YEAR BAN AND HORRIFIC DEATH OF JAZZIE

A woman from Skene, Aberdeenshire, has been held accountable for a tragic case of animal neglect that resulted in the death of her horse and has subsequently been subjected to a significant ban on owning animals. Louise Emslie, who was found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to her two-year-old grey Welsh pony named Jazzie, was sentenced in Aberdeen Sheriff Court on Tuesday, 11 March. The court heard that Emslie failed to seek veterinary care for Jazzie, which led to her suffering from a severe worm infestation, extreme emaciation, and septicemia, ultimately causing her death.

In addition to the case involving Jazzie, Emslie admitted to neglecting a total of seven horses, highlighting a pattern of disregard for animal welfare. The court's judgment included a community payback order requiring her to complete 225 hours of unpaid work within a year. Furthermore, Emslie was disqualified from owning any animals for a period of ten years, with the exception of pet dogs, effectively banning her from keeping horses or other livestock.

The incident came to light after a Scottish SPCA Inspector responded to concerns raised by a member of the public about the condition of a pony in a field located on Strawberry Field Road, Skene. The caller described the pony as extremely thin, visibly in pain, and suffering from ongoing diarrhea for several days. Upon arrival, the inspector entered the field to assess the situation and found Jazzie in a dire state. The small pasture was overcrowded with horses and offered minimal grazing, which compounded the animal’s suffering.

Jazzie’s condition was immediately apparent. Her back end and pink rug were covered in bright green diarrhea, which was visible from a distance. The inspector carefully removed the rug to reveal a skeletal frame, with every bony prominence clearly exposed. The pony was infested with lice, appeared uncomfortable, and was standing in a hunched posture, moving slowly and showing signs of extreme weakness. The inspector contacted a local veterinarian, with whom Emslie was registered; however, it was noted that the vet had not seen or treated any of her horses since January 2023.

During examination, Jazzie was alert but responded slowly. Her tail was matted with wet, bright green diarrhea, and she was standing with her body tucked up, indicating severe distress. There was no visible fat or muscle coverage over her entire body, underscoring her emaciated condition. The veterinarian found live lice in her coat, further evidence of neglect. Despite immediate veterinary intervention, Jazzie’s condition deteriorated rapidly, and she tragically passed away the following day. The veterinary team confirmed that her suffering was prolonged and that her decline could have been prevented with proper care.

The Scottish SPCA Inspector expressed disappointment with the court’s sentencing, emphasizing that Jazzie’s suffering was a direct result of neglect and that her condition was preventable. The inspector stated, “Jazzie suffered greatly from numerous veterinary problems that could have been prevented. The welfare and treatment of her should have resulted in a lifetime ban of ALL animals.” The case underscores the importance of animal welfare laws and the need for strict enforcement to prevent such tragic outcomes in the future.