WAYNE SHEPHERD AND KIMBERLEY THOMPSON CONVICTED IN STOKE-ON-TRENT FOR HORSE NEGLECT

Wayne Shepherd, born around 1981, and Kimberley Thompson, born around 1995, both residents of Dividy Road, Bentilee, Stoke-on-Trent ST2 0AA, were convicted in 2022 after neglecting and abandoning emaciated horses in a frozen field.

Shepherd and Thompson were permanently banned from owning any horses following the discovery of one dead, frozen in the snow, and the other severely starved and neglected.

The prosecution followed the discovery of two young thoroughbred horses, named Mr Eddy and Mr Winston (pictured), found in a suffering state on Slaters Lane, Werrington, on February 8, 2022. The RSPCA inspector Natalie Perehovsky responded to a call from a concerned member of the public.

Inspecting from at least 10 metres away, she immediately noticed that Mr Eddy, a bay-colored horse, appeared very thin. She described: "He seemed young and was emaciated. All his ribs were visible, and his spine and hip bones were prominent."

She observed that Mr Eddy had no access to water, only a small amount of haylage on the cold ground. A fresh bale of hay in a grey wrapper was nearby at the gate, but the horses did not have access to it.

The body of Mr Winston, a palomino, was found curled up and frozen in the snow nearby, within a cordoned section of the field. He was resting on haylage with a blue rug on top. In front of him was a bucket containing liquid and grains. Inspector Perehovsky noted: "The dead horse, Mr Winston, was laid curled up on haylage with a blue rug on. When I lifted the rug, I could clearly see his ribs and hips. He had been there for some time and had gone into rigor mortis, making it difficult to move him and see under the rug. The weather was extremely cold, snowing, and he had probably frozen overnight."

The landowners, who rented the field to Shepherd and Thompson, were located and informed of the situation. Authorities, including police and veterinary teams, attended the scene. The two horses were seized by officers, and arrangements were made to transport Mr Eddy for treatment at an equine veterinary clinic.

Later, Shepherd and Thompson arrived at the scene and expressed shock over Mr Winston’s death. Shepherd explained: "The horse had collapsed the day before. I managed to get him sitting up, but I didn’t call a vet and left him where he was overnight." When asked if he planned to call a vet, he replied that he intended to do so that morning but had been waiting for an appointment. Inspector Perehovsky pointed out, "It’s now 2pm, and he still hasn't rung one."

The horses' diet had consisted of linseed, barley, cranberry, and apple juice, as they were not drinking water, Shepherd added.

An equine vet examined both horses and rated their body condition at just one out of nine. The vet stated that Mr Eddy had suffered unnecessary pain due to inadequate husbandry and veterinary care, which could have been avoided with proper feeding and regular monitoring.

Fortunately, Mr Eddy has made a good recovery and will now be rehomed through the RSPCA.

In terms of sentencing, Shepherd and Thompson each received a 12-month community order with 15 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement Days. They were also fined £240 each, ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £95, and cover costs of £400. Additionally, they received a lifetime ban from owning equines.

Sources include the Birmingham Mail and Horse and Hound.