VALE OF GLAMORGAN HORSE TRADER SENTENCED FOR ANIMAL CRUELTY
A horse trader has been sentenced to jail and prohibited from keeping animals for life after being found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to animals.Tom Price, aged 56, from Bonvilston, was sentenced to six months in prison in a case brought by three local councils.
The investigation revealed that approximately 240 horses were removed from his care after they were discovered in dire conditions, and a flock of sheep was also rescued.
The sheep were found at Swn y Mor near Wick in August 2019, suffering from maggots and wounds, many of which had to be euthanized.
Further inspections in January 2020 uncovered horses kept in appalling conditions at three different sites, including Coity, Bridgend.
The animals were found in muddy environments with no food or clean water, and some were in overcrowded and hazardous conditions.
Price was charged with causing unnecessary suffering to eight horses, some underweight with long-standing wounds.
He has a history of previous animal mistreatment prosecutions and had been banned from keeping animals for five years following 57 charges.
His partner, Luanne Bishop, pleaded guilty to 31 similar charges and received a 12-week suspended prison sentence and lifetime disqualification from keeping animals, apart from certain pets.
The court highlighted the severity of the crimes and the extent of animal suffering involved.
The rescued horses are now under the care of the Redwings horse rescue charity and are being rehomed after treatment.
