Anglesey woman sentenced after pony found with head wound

A dark bay stallion named Ross has been put down after being found with a hole in his forehead and in a severely emaciated condition at an Anglesey smallholding. 😢

Andrea Parry-Jones, 35, of Carreg y Gad, Llanfairpwllgwyngyll, has been given a suspended sentence after admitting to causing unnecessary suffering to the protected animal.

RSPCA Inspector Mark Roberts visited the smallholding on February 14, 2024, following concerns raised by Anglesey Trading Standards.

“He was wearing a headcollar and was double rugged. However, it was very clear that the pony was thin even under the double rug,” said Roberts. “I slid my hand under both rugs at the shoulder and could easily feel the bones there. The pony also had a hole in its forehead just left of centre and looked to be about half an inch deep and was scabbed over. Some yellow discharge was observed coming from the left nostril of the pony.”

The pony was found to have a body condition score of just 0.5 out of five, with a “prominent” spine and ribs. After cleaning the wound, veterinarians observed bubbles emerging from the hole as the animal breathed.

Ross was also suffering from lice and rain scald, a bacterial infection caused by prolonged skin dampness.

At Caernarfon Crown Court on March 27, Parry-Jones, who works for the Rare Breeds Survival Trust, claimed she didn’t notice the facial fracture because she only checked on the pony “in the dark.” She admitted to failing to provide veterinary treatment for both the rain scald and facial fracture.

Following examination at Liverpool University’s Leahurst Equine Practice, it was determined that surgery would be required but with an uncertain outcome due to the pony’s poor condition. The decision was made to put Ross to sleep to prevent further suffering.

Parry-Jones was sentenced to six months in prison, suspended for 12 months, with a requirement to complete 20 rehabilitation activity days. She was also ordered to pay £2,000 in costs. The court heard the zoology graduate had shown “genuine remorse” and “genuinely regrets” not noticing the facial injury and taking “further steps.”