A man from Thornaby faces a 10-year animal ban after neglecting a foal, leaving it in dire condition.
Thornaby: A guy named Kevin Howe just got hit with a 10-year ban on keeping animals. Why? He abandoned a foal that was in terrible shape, covered in diarrhoea and maggots.
So, here’s the scoop. Kevin, 31, almost ended up in prison after two horses were found tied up at an industrial site. The poor little foal, Jerry, was in such bad condition that it took two days to get all the maggots off him.
The court heard that Jerry was emaciated and had some serious health issues. The judge said the RSPCA found the animals on September 20, 2023, and they looked like they were “all but abandoned.”
When they examined Jerry, he was visibly thin and struggling to stand. It was heartbreaking to hear that he was dehydrated and had faeces all over him. The judge made it clear that this little guy was suffering a lot.
Kevin pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to the foal. He claimed he only had Jerry for a week, but that didn’t excuse what happened. During an interview, he seemed to show a complete lack of care for the animals.
When he was told he might lose the horses, he casually said he’d just go buy another one. But now, he’s finally realizing he can’t take care of horses properly.
His lawyer pointed out that he didn’t have issues with his other animals and that he had no prior convictions. In the end, he got a 20-week prison sentence, which is suspended for 18 months, plus 180 hours of unpaid work and £250 in costs.
And the judge wasn’t done. He banned Kevin from keeping any animals for a decade. Kevin shook his head in disbelief when he heard the ban. The RSPCA is now allowed to take any animals he currently has.
It’s a sad situation, but at least the little foal is getting the help he needs now. Let’s hope this serves as a wake-up call for anyone thinking about owning animals without the proper commitment.
