Eleven Arabian horses, whose foals sold for up to $15,000 each, were among the 31 abused animals discovered by inspectors at a Lancashire farm.
The horses had to be euthanized after being forced to sleep in urine and poo-soaked stables.
58-year-old Nicola Haworth, the owner, kept the animals in filthy stables RSPCA officials described as the ‘most horrific’ they had ever seen.
The doors of some stables hadn’t been opened for a long time that inspectors had to force entry with a screwdriver and hammers.
Six of the horses were in very poor condition that they had to be put down while another five also had to be killed due to the pain they were in.
Haworth had already been given two warnings but failed to act accordingly. She even denied causing suffering to the animals by failing to keep them in proper environment or give them dental and hoof care.
She was found guilty of two offences under the Animal Welfare Act as she didn’t attend a hearing at Blackpool Magistrates Courts.
Haworth was given a 6-month curfew and she is now banned from having animals of any kind for 10 years.
Prosecutor Carmel Wilde said: “The evidence shows the conditions were horrendous. Six animals were in such an appalling condition they had to be put to sleep by the vet immediately.
“Five more were euthanised later. Others have behaviour problems and will never be ridden as they are dangerous.
“These were the worst conditions the vets and RSPCA inspectors have ever seen. Basics tasks were not carried out for a prolonged time.
“It was neglect.”
She continued: “All this pain and suffering could have been avoided had Haworth called in a vet and a farrier.
“Some horses had not been mucked out for months. When she was questioned by the investigators Haworth was quite flippant.”
Haworth’s attorney, Nigel Weller, said that she denied the offences but hadn’t given him proper instructions. “She is disappointed with the outcome and very distressed about the deprivation order,” he said.
RSPCA deputy chief inspector Carl Larsson said after the hearing: “It was the most horrific case I have ever had to deal with in my whole career.”
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