Suffering donkeys rescued from farm
A WOMAN has been spared an immediate prison term after causing unnecessary suffering to 24 donkeys.
The court case follows a multiagency operation in February 2021 when 72 donkeys and one horse were taken into possession by police on welfare grounds following veterinary examinations.
Zoie Celina Burton admitted two offences under the Animal Welfare Act: that she caused unnecessary suffering to 24 donkeys in that she failed to ensure adequate hoof care for them and that she did not take steps to ensure the needs of 22 donkeys and a pony were met by providing them with a suitable environment.
At a sentencing hearing last Tuesday at Swansea Magistrates’ Court she was handed an 18-week prison sentence, suspended for two years, with an additional requirement to attend 25 rehabilitation activity requirement days. She was also banned from keeping equines for 10 years. Burton was ordered to pay £1,000 prosecution fees and a £128 victim surcharge and a deprivation order was made for all the animals.
The court heard Dyfed-Powys Police obtained a warrant to enter Iscwm Farm, Pontantwn, Kidwelly in February 2021, following concerns for the welfare of animals housed there. The RSPCA-led operation was carried out in conjunction with the Donkey Sanctuary, World Horse Welfare, the British
Horse Society, Bransby Horse Rescue and Welfare and two veterinary surgeons from Redwings. Two independent vets also attended the address along with Dyfed-Powys Police officers.
There were around 100 equines on site – and following veterinary examinations, 72 donkeys and one horse were taken into possession by police. One donkey, which was examined by one of the vets on site, was put to sleep by the owner’s own vet on welfare grounds.
In a written statement presented to the court, RSPCA inspector Keith Hogben said Burton knew there were some problems with hooves and said the farrier was coming the following day. He added: “Zoie Burton informed me that the farrier comes once a week and he was due the previous day but she had to cancel as she was not feeling well.”
One of the attending vets in a statement said: “The severely overgrown hooves were very easy to see by a lay person and the owner should have sought both veterinary and farrier attention to this. A responsible horse and donkey owner should be expected to provide farrier treatment every four to eight weeks minimum.”
One skewbald female donkey had been found in a barn which was “an unsuitable and unsanitary environment for the donkey to be kept in”.
The vet statement added: “The donkey had overgrown hooves with the left fore hoof being deformed and twisted. The hoof was chipped off and the laminae were exposed. There was white line disease and thrush in all four feet due to lack of adequate hoof care and lack of suitable environment.”
Following more than a year of rehabilitation in the care of the Donkey Sanctuary, many of the donkeys are now said to be thriving, although some continue to require specialist care.
RSPCA inspector Keith Hobgen, who led the RSPCA prosecution case, praised all those involved in the rescue.
He said: “It is very sad to see a case like this where so many animals are suffering. It is a huge challenge looking after this number of equines and unfortunately in this case their needs were not met.
“We’re so grateful to the other equine organisations who supported this operation which was such a huge undertaking. It’s a powerful illustration of what we can achieve together for animal welfare.
“In particular we’d like to thank the Donkey Sanctuary for taking on the 71 donkeys and for their ongoing care. Now the case has concluded they can be rehomed by our partners and we look forward to hearing about their new homes from them in the near future.”