KINTORE PONY BREEDER MARGARET GREAVES ALLOWED SEVERE SUFFERING IN ABERDEENSHIRE

Margaret Greaves, known locally as Margie or Margs, a pony breeder and exhibitor operating under the name 'Chapelhill', was found guilty of neglecting a young Shetland pony named Zafira, causing her to endure unnecessary pain and suffering for over a week. Greaves, born on September 8, 1955, and residing in Balbithan, Kintore, Inverurie with the postcode AB51 0UQ, was involved in a case that drew significant attention from local animal welfare authorities and the court system.

According to court proceedings, Greaves delayed euthanasia for Zafira, an 11-month-old pony, despite clear signs of severe injury and distress. The pony had sustained a wound caused by fence wire, which had become so grievous that it was worn down to the bone. The injury rendered Zafira unable to walk, and her condition deteriorated over the course of at least seven days, during which she suffered from necrosis and infection. Despite veterinary advice recommending immediate euthanasia to prevent further suffering, Greaves chose to delay the procedure, hoping the injury might heal on its own.

The court heard that the injury occurred between June 28 and July 4, 2020, at a farm steading located at Balcraig, near Kintore, in Aberdeenshire. Greaves’s decision to postpone euthanasia resulted in the pony enduring prolonged pain, which animal welfare officials described as unduly suffering due to her neglect.

In her defense, Greaves admitted to allowing Zafira to suffer unnecessarily under her care. The sheriff presiding over the case, Graeme Napier, addressed her actions directly, emphasizing the severity of the suffering inflicted upon the pony. As a consequence, Sheriff Napier imposed a fine of £3,375 on Greaves. However, he chose not to disqualify her from working with horses in the future, despite the clear evidence of neglect and the pain caused to Zafira.

This case highlights ongoing concerns about animal welfare and the responsibilities of breeders and handlers in ensuring the humane treatment of animals, especially those under their care for breeding and showing purposes in the Kintore area and beyond.