In February this year a group of five ponies were rescued from appalling conditions after they were found living in dark, damp and cramped shipping containers next to a busy main road in Buxton, Derbyshire.
The man responsible – Anthony Melland, 46, has been given a six-week prison sentence and a lifetime ban on keeping horses, alongside his mother who was also given similar charges.
The two Shetland ponies, a foal, plus two further ponies were kept in the plastic container with very little access to fresh air, light and no clean bedding.
With only mouldy food available, the animals were in poor health and were seized by World Horse Welfare and the RSPCA under the Animal Welfare Act.
“Shipping containers are not somewhere that any animal should ever be housed, even on a temporary basis, and the terrible conditions these ponies were forced to endure were completely unacceptable,” said the World Horse Welfare Field Officer Rachel Andrews.
One of the Shetland ponies – Allana has recently found a loving new home through World Horse Welfare’s Rehoming Scheme. Sadly for the other Shetland, Robin who had been suffering with dental problems and a sinus infection was put to sleep a few weeks after the rescue.
The other ponies are continuing their rehabilitation at World Horse Welfare’s Penny Farm.