Woman given life ban after mistreating horses at farm

A WOMAN convicted of the “appalling mistreatment” of more than 20 horses has been banned from keeping animals for life, the Crown Office said.

Valerie Pritchard, 66, was caught after a member of the public reported concerns about underweight horses at Mains of Green Farm, Cuminestown, Aberdeenshire, to charity World Horse Welfare in May 2009.

She was convicted of four breaches of the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006 for causing unnecessary suffering and one charge of failing to ensure the welfare of animals.

At Banff Sheriff Court yesterday Pritchard was also ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work.

World Horse Welfare said the animals were found in “dreadful conditions”. Some had to be be put down.

Doug Howie, from the charity, said he found around 15 horse carcasses in a shed after detecting a “smell of decaying flesh”. He also claimed to have found a foal which had been still-born on the morning of his visit.

The charity said 23 horses, all of which were underweight and covered in lice, were taken to the Belwade Farm rescue and rehoming centre in Aberdeenshire.