WOMAN FOUND GUILTY OF CAUSING UNNECESSARY SUFFERING TO ANIMALS
Rachel Elizabeth Woods, aged 31 and living on Norwood Way in Walton, appeared before the court on June 11, 2026, where she was ordered to pay a fine totaling £3,120.This included an individual fine of £800, £2,000 in costs, and a £320 surcharge for the victim.
She was found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to a female dun Arab-type horse called Viv, on or before August 16, 2023, at Walton-on-the-Naze.
Evidence presented by the prosecution showed she did not provide adequate veterinary care or attention for the horse’s lameness.
Furthermore, Ms.
Woods was convicted of causing unnecessary distress to a male donkey, a female dun Arab-type horse, and a female grey pony.
She was also judged to have neglected the welfare needs of a male donkey, a grey pony, a female chihuahua-type dog, and a female marmoset at her residence on Kirby Road.
The neglect involved failing to administer effective parasite control, maintain proper body condition, or provide suitable environments and diets for these animals.
By August 16, 2023, at the same Kirby Road address, she did not take reasonable measures to meet the needs of a female chihuahua-type dog and a female marmoset.
This neglect included failing to offer proper care during the animals’ pregnancies, ensure appropriate environments and diets, or provide proper housing arrangements, especially when animals needed to be kept separate from other species.
Due to these breaches, Ms.
Woods was disqualified from keeping animals for a period of five years.
