Owner facing ban over skeletal horse

An emaciated horse had to be put to sleep after it was found in a skeletal state near a remote Perthshire farmhouse.

The horse, called Destiny, fell seriously ill after being left to eat deadly dry sugar beet. SSPCA inspectors found another horse, Farrah, starving in the same field near Methven.

Owner Donna Breen appeared at Perth Sheriff Court yesterday and admitted causing both horses unnecessary suffering. The 43-year-old now faces a ban on keeping animals.

Breen admitted that throughout most of November and December

We are seeking an order to stop her keeping animals

2019 she caused Destiny and Farrah to suffer “by act or omission”.

The court heard she failed to give either animal an adequate nutritious diet and did not call vets when they were ill.

Court papers state Farrah suffered a period of starvation and became “severely emaciated”.

Destiny was euthanised after Breen failed to prevent her from eating dry sugar beat.

She also did not get veterinary assistance when she too became emaciated.

Both horses were in Breen’s care at her then home at Wester Sunnyside, near Methven.

Part of the charge that alleged Destiny also suffered starvation, as well as a condition known as “choke”, was dropped by prosecutors.

Fiscal depute Rebecca Kynaston said: “The crown is seeking a deprivation order, which would essentially sever any rights to the horse that survived.

“We would also be seeking a disqualification order that would prevent the accused from owning, keeping, providing services to or taking charge of animals for any purpose.”

Solicitor John McLaughlin, defending, said: “This has been a very anxious matter for Ms Breen. She has no animals at the moment.”

Breen, of Nimmo Place, Perth, will be sentenced next month.

Dry sugar beet pellets absorb moisture inside an animal and swell, which can prove fatal.

Sugar beet roots must be soaked before feeding.

ADMITTED NEGLECT: Donna Breen leaving court.