WOMAN FOUND GUILTY OF CAUSING UNNECESSARY SUFFERING TO A PROTECTED ANIMA
On June 11, 2026, Sandra Jane Woods, a 68-year-old resident of Kirby Road, Walton on the Naze, appeared in court and was ordered to pay a total of 3,120 pounds, which included an 800-pound fine, 2,000 in costs, and a 320-pound victim surcharge.She was found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal, a female dun Arab horse named Viv, over the period from July 15, 2023, to August 17, 2023, at Walton on the Naze.
The conviction was based on her neglect in investigating and addressing the horse’s declining health and weight issues.
The court also revealed that Woods caused undue suffering to a male cockerel and a female chicken.
She failed to meet the welfare needs of 29 chickens and cockerels, along with seven ducks and 15 guinea pigs at her property.
A five-year ban was imposed, prohibiting her from keeping any animals.
Furthermore, prior to or by August 16, 2023, at her Kirby Road address, she did not take necessary steps to ensure that the needs of seven ducks and 15 guinea pigs including providing a suitable environment, proper diet, fresh water, and maintaining healthy body conditions were met.
The court indicated that reasonable efforts to safeguard the animals’ welfare were not undertaken; however, no additional penalties beyond the principal sentence and disqualification were applied for these specific failings.
