Cruel teen walks free after millions see attack on pony
ATEENAGER whipped a tethered pony in a callous attack and was prosecuted after footage of the brutality was seen more than two million times online.
Chloe Morgan, 18, flailed the dappled grey pony with a whip on the video made “for a laugh” by a friend.
A court heard the clip went viral and RSPCA officers were called in after more than 20,000 complaints were made about the assault fouryear-old cob Emry.
The 34-second video was played to magistrates yesterday showing Morgan being thrown off the animal and then using the whip to try to control Emry.
RSPCA prosecutor Nick Devonald said: “The video caused outrage when it was posted and had two million views. Vets who saw it said the pony was unable to escape because it was tied up.
“The animal was terrified and frightened. The vets who saw it said that Morgan had used excessive brutality against the horse which was fearful and distressed.”
Death threats were made against care worker Morgan after the video was shared. When interviewed, Morgan claimed she had sat on the pony for 10 minutes before it was spooked and she was forced to hit “once or twice”.
Mr Devonald told the court her actions were “over the top” and cruel. The video also showed family friend Paul Williams – whose wife Joanne owned Emry – kicking the pony.
Magistrates in Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, heard the pony was kept at rented stables at Glyngwernen Farm, near Llanelli. The dappled grey cob has since been given to the RSPCA for rehoming.
Morgan and Williams, 37, admitted causing cruelty to a protected animal and causing unecessary suffering.
District Judge David Parsons said: “This was a vicious assault on a pony for no reason whatsoever. You were not at risk of harm because the animal was tethered. It was a terrible offence and there were no excuses.”
Morgan, of Tirgof, Llangennech, Llanelli, was sentenced to three months in a youth offender institution and Williams jailed for four months but both sentences were suspended for 12 months.
They were also disqualified from keeping any animals for eight years and ordered to complete 120 hours of community service. Both defendants were also told to pay £400 costs and a £115 victim surcharge.
After the case RSPCA inspector Keith Hogben said: “It was a needless, cruel and callous attack and I’m relieved the RSPCA was able to act.”