A father and son have been banned for keeping horses for 25 years and sent to prison for causing ‘profound and severe suffering’.
Terrible conditions
Robert and Conor McAleenan from County Antrim in Northern Ireland pleaded guilty to 17 animal cruelty offences relating to 66 horses, ponies and donkeys.
Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) sergeant Allison Liddle and Redwings vet Nicolas de Brauwere attended two sites in November 2011, where they found the equines living in terrible conditions.
They had no food or water, many were standing in their own waste and were suffering with worm infestations, overgrown hooves and infections such as strangles.
One horse had to be euthanased on site, while another was so emaciated she was unable to stand up died a few days later.
Heart-breaking
“This was one of the most harrowing things I have ever seen both as a police officer and an animal lover,” said sergeant Liddle. “The sight of the awful conditions that these animals were forced to endure will stay with me forever.”
“Thetragedy of having to destroy those who had suffered too much was heart-breaking for everyone who was involved in this case.”
Redwings Horse Sanctuary, the Donkey Sanctuary and Crosskennan Lane Animal Sanctuary spent several days removing the horses and donkeys from the site.
The charities then took in the horses between them for rehabiliation. Twenty-three of them were transported to Redwings headquarters in Norfolk, where they have all made a full recovery.
Seven of the ten donkeys were also nursed back to full health by the Donkey Sanctuary, and two have started a new life with a foster home in Surrey. Four Shetlands have also found new homes.
Justice
In addition to the 25 year ban, Conor was sentenced to 22 months and will serve 7 months in prison, while his father Robert was given 20 months’ and will serve 4.5 months in prison.
Redwings head of welfare and senior vet Nic de Brauwere, who was the lead witness for the prosecution in the case, said Robert and Conor McAleenan “fundamentally failed” to protect the welfare of their horses and donkeys.
“They failed to address even their basic health and husbandry requirements and allowed several of the animals to suffer profoundly and for an extended amount of time,” he said. “I am absolutely delighted to see that justice has finally been done but speaking frankly, this should never have happened in the first place.”