Elderly Wakefield couple deny neglecting 41 ponies

A PENSIONER became aggressive with an RSPCA officer who was concerned for the health and welfare of dozens of ponies on a smallholding the OAP ran with his wife, a court heard.
George Millington.George Millington.
George Millington.

George Millington, 79, and his 78-year-old wife Maureen are on trial at Wakefield and Pontefract Magistrates’ Court to face allegations in connection with 41 ponies they kept in 30 stables on a strip of land at Birchin Hills, Ossett.

Prosecutor, Iain O’Donnell said the ponies were seized last January 31 after RSPCA officers, police and a vet visited the smallholding.

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Mr O’Donnell said some stables were soiled with faeces and urine and some ponies did not have access to water.

The court was told there were nails protruding from walls in some stables.

It is claimed some of the ponies had overgrown hooves while on two others, hooves had been cut so short that it caused suffering to the animals.

The court heard RSPCA inspector Gemma Fowler was concerned about the health of a number of ponies during a visit to the smallholding last January 11.

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She contacted a vet for advice and the Millingtons were given notice of a further RSPCA inspection.

Mr O’Donnell said: “He (George Millington) became somewhat aggressive towards the inspector and (was) shouting at her. She left, she felt somewhat concerned for her own personal safety.”

Mr O’Donnell said police, a vet and RSPCA official returned on January 31.

Mr O’Donnel added: “Thirty stables were found at the property. They realised pretty quickly that the ponies were being kept in pretty bad conditions. Arrangements were made for transportation. The vet felt these animals were suffering or were likely to suffer. The conditions there were being kept in were manifestly unsuitable.”

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George and Maureen Millington, of Birchin Hills, each deny four charges of failing to ensure the welfare of an animal and three charges of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal. Proceeding.