Ayrshire Post

Ban for farmer who neglected her animals

Horses kept in miserable conditions

- Abi Smillie

A cruel farmer has been disqualifi­ed from keeping farm animals for three years after being found guilty of animal neglect.

Kirsten Wilson left her poor creatures exposed to dead animal remains and dangerous debris between March 1 and 13 last year.

The 49- year- old kept two horses, one pony and five sheep at her home on Park Farm in Turnberry.

The animals were forced to live in miserable conditions with broken roof panels, telegraph poles, bricks, netting and faeces laying around.

There were also nails, broken buckets, wire and too much mud.

The Scottish SPCA investigat­ed the smallholdi­ng after reports of poor animal welfare surfaced.

And last week the Post told how the Scottish SPCA responded to almost 5000 other incidents in Ayrshire last year.

Chief Superinten­dent Mike Flynn said: “While Scotland is a nation of animals lovers, unfortunat­ely there are some who still abuse and neglect animals.”

“We firmly believe that education is the key to preventing cruelty.”

The charity also reported that they cared for over 300 animals at their Ayr rehoming centre.

Manager Marion Hainey said: “Many of the animals were rescued from lives of abuse or neglect and some were even discarded like rubbish when their owners decided they no longer wanted to look after them.”

Cruel Wilson failed to provide animals in her care with proper ground, clean bedding, lying areas and shelter.

And she potentiall­y exposed them to injury and disease – failing to ensure their needs were met.

She faced her sentencing on Tuesday, March 27 where Sheriff Desmond Leslie disqualifi­ed her from keeping poultry, sheep, horses and cattle for a period of three years.

Scottish SPCA Chief Inspector Hamish Mackintosh added: “We are pleased Wilson has been sentenced following our investigat­ion.

“We hope she will give serious considerat­ion about her ability to care for animals in the future.”

 ??  ?? Cold- hearted Kirsten Wilson at Ayr Sheriff Court
Cold- hearted Kirsten Wilson at Ayr Sheriff Court

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