Scottish SPCA

Horse owner given life ban

An Aberdeenshire woman has been convicted of multiple horse neglect at a farm in Turriff, following a Scottish SPCA investigation.

Valerie Pritchard, 65, of Mains of Green, was sentenced at Banff Sheriff Court on Tuesday (10 January) after being found guilty of four charges of causing her horses unnecessary suffering and one charge of failing to provide for the welfare of her horses. She was banned from keeping or owning animals for life and sentenced to 200 hours community service.

We were alerted to the incident after World Horse Welfare visited the farm and found 25 horses in extremely poor condition while the carcasses of a further 15 horses were discovered, many piled in a barn.

Working with Aberdeenshire Council, our special investigation unit launched an investigation and reported Pritchard to the procurator fiscal.

Scottish SPCA Chief Superintendent Mike Flynn said, "We are delighted that Pritchard has been found guilty of causing horses unnecessary suffering and failing to provide for their welfare.

"This was a sickening case of neglect, with many of the horses found either dead or dying. Pritchard allowed this situation to arise through extremely poor herd management with mares and stallions mixed together and many young foals at foot and in an emaciated condition.

"Her horses had experienced so little human contact that they had become wild and were very difficult to handle or catch.

"We are very glad that 25 horses were removed and have since gone on to receive the care and attention they required from World Horse Welfare.

"We are especially pleased that we were able to bring criminal proceedings against Pritchard which has led to her being banned from keeping animals for life.

"A life ban is the ultimate sanction against animal cruelty and entirely fitting in this case.

"This was a particularly complex investigation and we would like to thank the procurator fiscal for their determination in pursuing this case."

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