(Image: RSPCA Cymru)
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A Shetland pony had to be put to sleep after suffering infected wounds that were left untreated by an Ebbw Vale woman who denied any responsibility for the animal.
Lisa Wall, 32, of Festival Drive, was sentenced at Newport Magistrates’ Court on February 25 having been convicted of three offences under the Animal Welfare Act.
The eight ponies
RSPCA Inspector Keith Hogben told the court he first spotted three cob-type ponies in a field off Festival Drive on April 19, 2025. Two were so thin their spines were clearly visible, and all of them appeared hungry.
The field had poor grazing with no supplementary food provided. Several buckets contained only small amounts of water, and the area was littered with metal, hard plastic, broken fencing, and the base of an old caravan.
When Inspector Hogben investigated further, he discovered five more ponies in the area – two of which were lean to the touch. A vet was called and all eight were taken into RSPCA care.
Wall was found guilty at trial on February 6 of failing to ensure the needs of the eight ponies were met between March 8 and April 19 last year. She claimed she had asked others to care for the animals while she was in hospital and that it “wasn’t her fault”.
The Shetland pony
On February 9, Wall was convicted in her absence of two further offences relating to a Shetland pony she was responsible for between late September and early October.
RSPCA Animal Rescue Officer Sian Burton said she attended land off Park Road on October 4 where two police officers were with a chestnut Shetland pony with a missing tail. The dock – the root of the tail – was exposed and dripping blood.
The pony had wounds “all around its back end” which were “crawling with maggots” and “smelt very strongly of infection”.
Despite being taken into RSPCA care and receiving treatment, the pony’s prognosis was very poor and a vet advised euthanasia on welfare grounds. The vet added that in his opinion the initial wounds were consistent with dog bites, with several deep punctures and tissue loss present.
Wall told the court the Shetland pony “was nothing to do with her” and said she intended to appeal.
Sentencing
Of the other eight ponies, two were also put to sleep on veterinary advice. The remaining six are still in RSPCA care and will be rehomed.
Wall was banned from keeping animals for 10 years. She was also ordered to pay a £900 fine and £3,512 in costs.
