Taunton man banned from keeping horses for neglecting elderly equine
Mark Baker, who's 48, admitted three animal welfare offences, after Squealy was found shut in a dirty stable, from a large sore
A Somerset man has been banned from keeping horses after an elderly equine was left to suffer.
Squealy, the 25 year old horse who was on loan to him, was found shut in a dirty stable by RSPCA officers, suffering from a large sore caused by two rugs.
Mark Baker, who's 48 and from Taunton, admitted three animal welfare offences, and isn't allowed to have horses for 15 years.
RSPCA Inspector Jo Daniel, who investigated for the animal welfare charity, said: “As a result of this not being noticed and addressed, the rug continued to rub and caused a large ulcerating wound. The degree of granulation suggested the wound wasn’t recent and either had not been treated or hadn’t even been noticed.
“Squealy also had very worn painful teeth and it was very evident from the environment that he had been dribbling his food for a considerable time as large amounts of dried food was stuck to his stable door. He was hungry but unable to consume the calories needed to maintain good health.”
In their report, the specialist equine vet who examined him highlighted how he would have suffered for a prolonged period. They said: “No attempt had been made to palliate the horse or alleviate his pain, let alone investigate the cause of his poor body condition. He was not free from pain, injury or disease. His needs were not being met as specialist dental care was not sought or provided and his diet was not adequate given his additional needs. He was not free from hunger since he did not have access to a diet to maintain his health and vigour.
“He was exclusively confined to his stable in the barn alone and was denied freedom to exhibit normal behaviour since he did not have company of his own kind. His environment was not comfortable given the wet and soiled bedding he was found on. He was not free from discomfort. From my findings, it is my opinion that pain and suffering had been ongoing for many months.”
Because of his condition, the decision was taken with support of his owner who had loaned Squealy to Baker, for a vet to euthanise him on site.
The judge said regarding disqualification, which Baker can not appeal for five years, that he had a ‘significant period to resolve the issues’, added: "Your actions resulted in the death of elderly horse. Looking after an animal is a privilege and you failed in that privilege and the court cannot allow you to fail again.”
Alongside the disqualification order, Baker must carry out 150 hours of unpaid work. He was also ordered to pay £1,200 costs when he was sentenced at Taunton Crown Court on January 11.