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Man barred from keeping horses following neglect

On June 27, a man from Norwich was given a suspended prison sentence and disqualified from keeping equines for ten years.

Three severely underweight mares were rescued by Redwings Horse Sanctuary and the RSPCA.

Redwings Horse Sanctuary reported that in addition to the ten year ban, Gordon Perkis was sentenced to 12 weeks’ custodial sentence, suspended for 12 months. He was also made to pay £2,080 in costs at Ipswich Magistrates Court, having previously pleaded guilty to charges under the Animal Welfare Act (May 31 2016); a prosecution brought by the RSPCA.

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On January 29 2016, Redwings’ senior field officer Julie Harding and welfare veterinary surgeon Nicola Berryman, together with RSPCA inspector Nicky Thorne, had discovered three emaciated mares at a site in Diss.

The mares were seized on welfare grounds and taken to a Redwings centre nearby for immediate veterinary treatment. Despite intensive veterinary care and less than a week after her rescue, piebald cob Fanny’s condition deteriorated rapidly as a result of a severe worm damage to her digestive system.

“Very sadly, Fanny was in such a state of neglect that we had no choice but to put her to sleep,”said Nicola. “Although she had received some treatment for worms it was not appropriately prescribed or administered. A lack of pasture rotation also contributed to the problem.

Fanny left behind two companions, 20-year-old black cob Baby and four-year-old skewbald cob Cookie. “After six months in our care Baby and Cookie are visibly improved and the pair can now happily be turned out into a paddock together,” explained Nicola.

“Nonetheless, the road ahead in their recovery is rocky as the damage caused by their neglect has already taken hold.”

To support the charity in the mares’ ongoing care and rehabilitation, you can donate by heading to www.redwings.org.uk/donating. Alternatively, text “HORS30 £5” to 70070.

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