A WREXHAM man has been banned from keeping horses for 10 years and told to pay thousands in court costs.
Gareth Wyn Kelly, 22, of Bryn Nebo, Bwlchgwyn, had admitted three counts of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal.
At Wrexham Magistrates Court Kelly was given a 12-month community order and told to carry out 250 hours of unpaid work.
He was banned from keeping horses for a decade and has to pay costs of £3,640. A deprivation order was made for three horses and two foals.
Chairman of the magistrates, Alan Bissell, said: “This was callous and inhumane treatment of horses by failing to care for their needs and alleviate their suffering.”
The case had been brought before Flintshire Magistrates Court last month where Kelly pleaded guilty to three charges relating to horses he was keeping on rented land outside Rhos y Gwalia, near Bala.
RSPCA officials seized eight horses from the land in April last year after a call from a member of the public. The prosecution said the animals were found to be in an emaciated state.
One of the horses, a chestnut cob mare, was found to have rain scald with severe scabbing, while a black cob mare and a black gelding pony were in an emaciated body condition and were suffering with ticks.
After the case Kelly’s solicitor, Andrew Holliday, said his client would be considering an appeal against the length of the ban imposed by the magistrates.
Mr Holliday said Kelly was a vastly experienced horseman and it was the first time he had come to the attention of the RSPCA.
Inspector Chris Dunbar, of the RSPCA, said: “I think this has been a good result. It was a serious case and has been taken seriously by the magistrates here today.”